women
international women
The arrival of Shaun Edwards in the Red Rose camp has been in the works for several weeks.
Freshly released from his obligations with France after six years working with Fabien Galthie’s team – a job that brought him a Guinness Award Six Nations Grand Slam and back-to-back championship wins – the 59-year-old was a free agent for the first time in more than four decades.
These Six Nations successes only scratch the surface of Edwards’ career. As a player he was the captain of Wigan Warriors in his most famous era and as a coach he enjoyed domestic and European success with Osama, before a 12-year stint as Wales defense coach. Given that pedigree, you’d have to think he had plenty of suitors.
“He has an aura, he has a presence,” Mitchell said after announcing his 23rd cap to face the Black Ferns this Saturday at Allianz Stadium. “He’s already developing really good relationships with the girls. It’s another opportunity for the younger coaches to learn from an experienced assistant coach.”
Upon arriving at the Red Roses camp, Edwards had already learned the names of every player and even asked John Mitchell for a list of the language used in the camp. He didn’t want his first week with his new team to feel like a first week.
“He can see why we’ve had good success with the way we run our processes,” Mitchell said “But he’s really, at the end of the day, just a guy who’s just going to chip in here and there. He’s seen so many plays on defense.
“He also understands that defense is never perfect. So I realized very quickly that he focuses on people’s strengths much more than their weaknesses. It’s up to them to choose whether to take the advice.”
Edwards’ immediate future has been the subject of much speculation following his departure from France. Many felt his future was at the Allianz Stadium, but with Steve Borthwick’s men’s side rather than the reigning world champions the Red Roses.
Earlier this week, Marlie Packer revealed that some of Edwards’ interest came after comments made by his late mother, Phyllis. His mother was also the inspiration behind his move to rugby union.
In his first days in camp this week, the 59-year-old told the players how his mother’s admiration for the Red Roses fueled his desire.
“Our biggest question about him coming to the program was why?” Jess Breach said.
“I think a lot of coaches come to the women’s teams to potentially jump and advance to the men’s teams. It’s not that we don’t like it, but we want people to be here because they want to be here and they want to make the program better and they want us to be better. I think that’s what he wants.
“He explained his mom’s story and I think that’s important and it touched a lot of us, like you want to be here and you want us to get better.”
So the players were won over. With Red Roses on a short-term consulting basis until the end of the year WXV Global Series In 2026, the rest of Mitchell’s coaching staff will have the opportunity to learn from Edwards — especially defensive backs coach Sarah Hunter.
“I get a lot out of him and I’m sure he steals a few things, which is great,” Mitchell said. “As coaches, we’re always looking to find something a little different that can improve players or freshen up the way you go about things. We’re very, very fortunate to have a person of her ability.”