Shaun Edwards has denied using a rude hand gesture while celebrating Wales’ third try to seal their win over Ireland in the Six Nations on Friday night.

The defence coach was disappointed when social media had interpreted him punching the air after Jamie Roberts’ try as a middle finger salute to the Irish.

Ireland failed to score a try of their own during the defeat as Edwards masterminded a defensive shut out that he branded the best performance since he began his role back in 2008.

When asked about the reaction to his questionable hand signal, Edwards replied: "I was very disappointed at that. I couldn't believe why so many people looked at that.

Wales vs England player ratings Show all 31 1 /31 Wales vs England player ratings Wales vs England player ratings 15. Leigh Halfpenny - 7 Missed one chance, but such was his kicking that it built the Welsh lead early on. Incredibly reliable under the high ball Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 14. Alex Cuthbert - 6 If ever there was a sensible yellow card, Cuthbert earned it. His tackle stopped Haskell when everyone the red side of the Severn thought a try was on. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 13. Jonathan Davies - 5 Very quiet and struggled to see any ball in hand. Went large phases without having any impact. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 12. Jamie Roberts - 7 Had two charging runs that England did well to stop, and his defence was very solid when under pressure. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 11. George North - 6 Forced off for a concussion test and starved of the ball, he never seemed to recover from the blow to the head. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 10. Dan Biggar - 6 Drop-goal on half-time appeared to the game away from England, but faded in the second half and wale suffered as a result. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 9. Rhys Webb - 7 On hand to finish Wales’ opening try and sniped around the edge, but England did well to keep him shackled. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 1. Gethin Jenkins - 5 Brought off for Paul James having struggled in the scrum and was very much second best to Dan Cole. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 2. Richard Hibbard - 5 His ball at the lineout was below-par and it wasn’t his finest day at the office. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 3. Samson Lee - 6 Recovered well after early pressure in the scrum, but picked up an injury in the second half to end his day early. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 4. Jake Ball - 6 Struggled to cope with his opposite number and didn’t have the influence on the game that he’s come to enjoy in recent outings. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 5. Alun Wyn Jones - 6 Looked to be under pressure in both the lineout and the scrum, and his form deserted him in the second period when Wales needed him most. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 6. Dan Lydiate - 6 Gave away a crucial penalty in the second half as England built momentum, but his tackling was as reliable as ever. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 7. Sam Warburton - 6 Faded in the second half and was earmarked by England’s defence whenever he got the ball in hand. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 8. Taulupe Faletau - 7 Beautiful offload after beating Haskell set-up Webb’s try, but gave away the penalty that allowed Ford to secure the victory. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 15. Mike Brown - 7 Deft chip set-up Watson’s try, and was a constant threat whenever he got the ball. Kick to the 5m allowed England to camp on the Welsh line late on. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 14. Anthony Watson - 7 Out-gassed Halfpenny to score and drag England back into the game, a strong showing in the air too. No as prevalent in the second half though. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 13. Jonathan Joseph - 8 Moment of inspiration after the restart saw him beat three defenders to score, and can be proud of his Millennium debut. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 12. Luther Burrell - 8 Didn’t give Roberts and Davies a moments rest and showed his rugby brain with intelligent runs, and was one of the standout performers. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 11. Jonny May - 6 Stepped inside to give Webb room to score, and did little with the ball when the opportunity arose. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 10. George Ford - 8 Charged down twice in the first-half but passing was strong, missed an early second-half penalty to put England ahead, but more than made up for it with his match-winning penalties. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 9. Ben Youngs - 8 Led the England revival and his passing was nothing short of exemplary. Surprising to see him replaced midway through the second half. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 1. Joe Marler - 6 Carried well which is often a criticism of his game. Departed for Mako Vunipola after 54 minutes despite dominance in the scrum. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 2. Dylan Hartley - 5 Unusually wayward with his lineout ball and taken off after 54 minutes for Tom Youngs as a result. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 3. Dan Cole - 7 his lack of game time, Cole’s performance was outstanding, and a turnover on his own 22 when under pressure defined his strong showing. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 4. Dave Attwood - 7 Marshalled the defence very well and helped his rapidly growing reputation. One error came when he picked the ball up in a ruck. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 5. George Kruis - 8 His first England start? You wouldn’t know it, as he commanded the lineout superbly and really stood out in the battle of the packs. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 6. James Haskell - 6 At fault for the opening try with his missed tackle on Faletau, and managed to spurn the chance to score a try when it looked nailed on. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 7. Chris Robshaw - 7 Struggled in the lineout early but recovered well. As usual, led by example in defence, and importantly got Jerome Garces on his side early on. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings 8. Billy Vunipola - 7 Targeted by the Welsh defence but coped very well and never took a backwards step. As players tired his pinch tackle flourished. Getty Images Wales vs England player ratings Best off the bench: Tom Youngs - 7 Did what Hartley couldn’t in the lineout and could be in contention to start next week. GETTY IMAGES

"There was nothing in that whatsoever. It was just a harmless hand gesture.

"I was throwing a punch in the air and people are talking about that rather than an incredible defensive performance where Ireland were kept try-less for the first time for four years.

"I'm a child of the 1990s and if you are going to say something rude you stick two fingers up and not one. It's true though, Agincourt, two fingers isn't it?"

Wales face France in Paris on the weekend in their final Six Nations game after avoiding a third straight defeat – which would have been their worst record in 10 years.

Edwards claimed he was punching the air in celebration (Getty)

The Welsh looked as good as they have this year at the Principality Stadium as George North got a confidence-boosting double, while Wales’ rearguard held firm.

And Edwards has urged Wales to push on and seize the momentum they’ve generated, with it still possible they could finish second in the table again.

"It [the defensive performance] was the best to be honest because of the standard of the opponent we have.

"They have been averaging 30-odd points a game recently and I didn't think it was possible to keep a top four ranked team to single digit points.

"Sometimes I set the boys a target, 19-21 points, because I think the attack can cover it but I never in my wildest dreams would have thought nine points against Ireland. But the boys did it.

"Our front-line defence was ferocious at times. The double-hitting by our back-rowers was absolutely outstanding and our tight five really put on because, with Gethin Jenkins not being available for us, we have done a lot of work with the props and hookers trying to get in on the ball almost like a back-rower.

"Their efforts after the tackle has been made has just gone up and up. Rob Evans' was really high at the weekend.

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