For me it will be a great day when Shaun Edwards returns to rugby league in whatever capacity. He first left the game when he needed to work in London to be near his young son.

Having listened to his comments as summariser on the Premier Sports version of the England v NZ semi, it is clear his rugby league brain is absolutely as sharp and insightful as ever. Not to mention his passion for the game and for England.

Whether it's decided to replace Steve McNamara now or after a further contract(s), the only candidate for the next England coach for me is Edwards. Knowledge, experience, passion, know-how. A winner. Brilliant.

Interesting would be very controversial due to his time out of the game. Salary would probably be quite different to what he can get now though.

I was chuffed when I saw it wasn't the awful Davies summarising & looked forward to hearing Edwards. TBH I was disappointed, not a patch on Noble, sounded like another thick Northerner.

Really? I genuinely though the exact opposite, thoroughly underwhelming. Maybe I carry too much Edwards baggage

I did repeatedly find myself thinking how can he watch a classic like this & go back to his day job of coaching that over hyped pile of poop.

Money talks!!

This is going off topic but I find this interesting. Edwards has done exceptionally well and has been involved in coaching rugby for many years. After watching Hock do his best to show the game in a poor light during that ridiculous interview it got me thinking about what these lads can do when their playing days are over.

If you do the right things and get the coaching quals and are lucky enough to land a job then you can stay in the coaching circles for a long time. If you are eloquent you can become a summariser or a face on TV. If you have neither of these talents what do you do?

I wonder if there is an education plan in place at the RL for its players for after their careers? Very few could retire on the money they earn during those 10 or 12 years when they earn a good wage so what happens to them after that point and do the RFL have a plan in place to assist them in their transition into a second career?

I mean we are pretty saturated in gyms and personal trainers so that pathway can't go on forever. What happens to these lads who put their bodies through hell for our entertainment? Using Hock again, I fear for him. I imagine he will play until he can play no more as that is all he knows, what then?

I think it is a very important point, which I too find interesting. Offiah is not your typical ex RL player in a number of ways, but he still looks good & speaks with a nice home counties accent. But I think he talks a lot of crap, technically he is rubbish, just following the no poop Sherlock approach. Hock, when banned, had an intensive rehabilitation programme from Wigan; there was a great Guardian article about it/him, & gave me great optimism for his future. I think he has thrown all of that away. He could have been a role model for kids of his upbringing. Listening to Ryan Bailey grunt his way through an interview with Barrie Mac after his latest disciplinary was cringeworthy. RL does need some massive investment in player education & presentation. But then again it needs investing in lots of areas which probably take precedence.

Hock and Bailey are excellent examples of two players in the latter stages of their careers who may have bleak futures after retirement.

I can't see it being club responsibility to manage a transition into a new employment arena. Bailey is a good example in that Leeds might actually have something in place for long service players and Hock is an example where a player moves clubs and at this point who has the responsibility for him to develop other skills?

Both these lads are limited in skills (as far as I am aware) and if they haven't been looking into courses and getting placements for their next challenges they may come up short in being employable.

You hear of some players doing degrees and such and it is very encouraging that they recognise the need to self develop but I imagine most of them start in their late twenties/early thirties as it starts to hit home that they are not going to be able to play forever. What about those that don't have the gumption to understand this concept, these are ones who should be managed.

It would be very interesting to hear if the players unions are actively pushing advice onto players in how they can look after their future beyond the game.

A lot of clubs are pretty good these days at making sure their players have something to do after the game. I know, for example that through Wire Chris Hill and a few others take part in classes at Warrington Collegiate.

I thought he was great. Insightful, passionate and unapologisedly biased.

Any neutral watching will have been drawn in by his knowledge.

If you ever go on "Linked In" a social network site used for professionals to network you would be suprised at just how many of the rugby players are directors of other companies and have sidelines. Adrian Morley has a recruitment company, Shaun Wane has a nutrition company, Jon Wilkin, Matt Diskin and many more are on there touting there other income streams.
Like most professional sports people they have a lot of spare time and at the top level do have disposable income to invest.

I think the "after the career discussion deserves it's own thread.
It's unfair to derail this one, and I do find it interesting so would like to comment

Back on topic, I was also glad to see Edwards back in the game. Not sure I'd just throw him in as next England coach but he has a place somewhere certainly.
How old is his kid now. Lets get him a place at Leeds University so his dad can come up here

As long as he speaks home counties & not like his dad we would allow him in.

What is it called Hollands pies- sorry!