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Watch the full Scrum V interview here

Religion and politics... two subjects that usually end up in an argument or a cringe worthy interview.

For BBC Wales Scrum V presenter Ross Harries it was the latter as he tried to break through the defensive wall of former Rugby League superstar Shaun Edwards with as much success as Wales’ Six Nations rivals have had under coach Warren Gatland’s watch.

The man, who alongside Gatland, has helped mastermind a golden age of Welsh rugby with two Grand Slams another Six Nations crown, plus semi and quarter-final tickets in the Rugby World Cup, was at his tetchy best with Harries during the BBC Wales interview - especially when quizzed on his religious and political beliefs.

Here’s the best moments of the awkward interview ....

Harries: “Is it a difficult line to straddle being a mate on one hand (with the players) and essentially being a boss on another?”

Edwards: “No”

Harries: “Easy?”

Edwards: “Yeah, because they know I’m only trying to help them. If I give them constructive criticism, it’s always constructive, not destructive.

Harries: “From the outside looking in I think a lot of people do see you as this aggressive hard-nosed taskmaster, who doesn’t take any messing, is that a too simplified view of Shaun Edwards?”

Edwards: “I’m not a great judge of myself so I will let other people answer that question for you.”

Harries: “I suppose what I’m trying to get to are there hidden depths we don’t see, the public persona, you mention you’re likely to put an arm around a player and offer sympathy or constructive criticism than be a shouter and get angry?”

Edwards: “I shout sometimes but the only time I would shout at a player and be really cheesed off with them would be if they didn’t give 100 per cent. If they give 100 per cent, work hard and are studious and want to get better I will put time into them and help them become better rugby players.”

Harries: “Players have mentioned before the Shaun Edwards wall of shame where you will put a name up on the board if they miss a tackle or don’t get back into the defensive line?”

Edwards: “Not if they miss a tackle. I would give them stinging criticism if it was a repeat error which is continually coming up time and again in a game. At first I would help them but if it’s happening three or four times on the trot, then obviously they are not listening.”

Related:Wales’ Six Nations tactics explained: Warrenball, the kicking game and how a new approach might look

Harries: “It’s fair to say Shaun, you’re quite a private bloke and you don’t give a great deal away in public. You’ve spoken before about your faith and you religious convictions does that influence you....?”

Edwards: “Listen mate, I don’t want to start talking about faith because I’ll sound like a Bible puncher and that’s not me. I’m not here to preach to people it’s up to individual people. I was brought up like that, My Mum’s brother is a priest so I went to church. If I didn’t go to church my Mum would probably batter me.”

Harries: “Do you think it’s important for players, I’m thinking about you being a big reader and quite politically engaged as a player.....?”

Edwards: “Let’s not talk about politics and all that mate.”

Harries: “My point being...”

Edwards: “I was politically engaged when the miner’s strike was on. I was 17 my Grandfather was a miner, my Dad was a miner my family were miners and Mrs Thatcher was ripping all the mines up or shutting them all down. I won’t say I’m a massive political person or anything like that, I went on a march with the miners because I was from Wigan. I’m no expert on politics, trust me!.”

Harries: “The bookies have installed England as favourites. Is that justified given Wales have beaten them in the World Cup and they’ve a new coach who has barely had time to impose his vision?”

Edwards: “I’ve got no idea about that.”

Related:Wales' full-back conundrum: The pros and cons of the four choices Warren Gatland has at his disposal

With that Edwards was out of his chair shook hands withy Harries and was off.

The Scrum V Six Nations Special went back to the studio where the audience laughed.

Harries said: “That was an exhausting half an hour I can tell you. He doesn’t give much away does Shaun Edwards. And I don’t think I’ve faced the death stare before. And I got more than my fair share during that interview.”

Looking at former Wales flanker Martyn Williams, as a studio guest, Harries asked ‘Nugget’: “Have you faced the Shaun Edwards death stare.”

To which the back-row star said: “Oh mate, let’s not go there,” to more laughter and claps from the studio audience."

Scrum V is on BBC Two Wales on Sundays. The next episode is on February 7 at 7pm.