Legendary defense coach explains why he will join Argentina at next year’s World Cup and what life has been like as England manager
Shaun Edwards is at home in France with an England shirt in his hands. He has waited more than 40 years for this moment, since becoming the first and only schoolboy to captain an English school in the association and league. He has a smile on his face.
Short term coaching consultant role for Red roses perhaps not the England performance fans were looking for for Edwards given a career that saw him win seven men’s Six Nations titles with Wales and France, while the country of his birth managed just four.
And now that possibility has disappeared as he signed up as Argentina’s defense coach until the end of the 2027 World Cup.
Read more: Everything you need to know about the 2027 World Cup, including fixtures
Many England fans are stunned, as they feel he has been allowed to go through the net again. As the sun breaks into the blue sky above his home in Canet-Plage, a seaside resort outside Perpignan, the double-coded legend tells RW why his involvement in the Red Roses would make mum Phyllis proud, and he answers the burning question…
Interview by Alex Spink
World Rugby: Why Argentina, and why now?
SHUAN EDWARDS: I’m like everyone else, I want to go to the World Cup. Argentina was the first team that offered me a contract. They are eighth in the world, semi-finalists at three of the last five World Cups. They seem to be good, and I’m a competitor.
I want to be in the biggest opportunities. France had the best defense in the group stage of the last World Cup. We conceded an average of 12 points per game. I want to defend it. I want to try it again.’
England assistant coach Shaun Edwards during the WXV Global Series (Getty Images)
People assumed your involvement with the Red Roses would lead to a role in the England men’s team?
I spoke to the head of the (men’s) team six weeks ago and was told they were happy with the staff they had and the way things were going. You have to respect that. I make no secret of the fact that I would love to represent England and that I would love to win the Six Nations tournament. Maybe two or three. That would be something else.
I can still participate in the Women’s Six Nations. Argentina gave me permission. Nothing is agreed. That’s Sarah Hunter’s job, and there’s no way I’m going to bother for her job. She is my friend. But if I’m needed, I have Argentina’s blessing.
Felipe (Contepomi, head coach) said it will ‘keep you sharp’. England Women are a pleasure to work with. I do my best, I love every minute. I have the Red Rose on my chest and I’m proud as punch. My passion for training has returned.
Read more: Ten things to know about Shaun Edwards
How did the role of Red Roses come about?
I always wanted to train them. In fact, I told the girls a story about my mom, who died in 2021. I remember we were watching Red Roses on TV and she said, “I’d love to play that game.” It stuck in my mind that one day I would love to coach them. Now I had this opportunity.
What did you think of the Red Roses setting?
Very, very good. They have great leaders in the team. Check out the first game I was involved in (26-19 vs NZ). Their attitude towards the defense was fantastic. They made over 300 tackles and conceded less than 20 points. Amazing effort. I would disagree with anyone who says women’s rugby isn’t as much fun as the men’s game. It’s a lot of fun.
Ellis Genge of England, Peato Mauvaka, Antoine Dupont of France leave Maro Itoje of England during the Guinness Six Nations 2026 rugby match between France and England (Getty Images)
Seve Ballesteros once said that a prophet is not recognized in his country. Looking at your career, the most successful Six Nations manager ever you haven’t coached England yet, does that apply to you?
In fact, Jesus, 2,000 years ago, said, “No prophet is accepted in his hometown.” It’s in the gospels. So Seve was quoting Jesus! Look, it’s not for me to answer that question. I would like to win a trophy for England and for England. That would be one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Not because it would complete my journey because it would mean I’m ready to retire, which I have no intention of doing. I have never won a trophy in the women’s game, not even with England (men). I would be very happy to correct that.
Read more: Six Nations 2027
You left the France set-up after helping them to a third Six Nations title, but conceded 96 points in the last two rounds. Did your time end on a sour note?
I have no animosity towards the French Rugby Federation. They were fantastic to me. I joined France because I wanted to help. My daughters now speak two languages, it was nice living in the countryside. I feel nothing but gratitude to have been given the opportunity to play the part.
They brought me in as a specialist in 2020 and I think I did a good job. France has always been at the forefront of the attack; in defense, they were a little behind. I brought them into modern times. They haven’t won the Six Nations for ten years. They have now won three.
After the England game, when you had just won another trophy, you almost had to defend yourself in an interview for conceding 46 points…
They asked me why we didn’t use certain tactics. I didn’t train much in that tournament because someone above me wanted me to. Was it a difficult moment? Listen, the boss is the boss, end of story.
It’s tough being the 2026 defensive coach, isn’t it?
It is the most difficult job in the coaching staff. I don’t think it’s a bad thing because fans go to the game wanting to see tries. The last Six Nations was amazing, wasn’t it? I just hope it doesn’t get to the stage where if someone scores, nobody bothers to clap for it because, “Oh, that’s another try, there was one of those two minutes ago.”
Read more: Shaun Edwards among the latest Six Nations winners
Wasps head coach Ian McGeechan (L) celebrates with his captain Lawrence Dallaglio and assistant coach Shaun Edwards (R) after winning the Guinness World Cup final between Leicester Tigers and London Wasps (Getty Images)
What was your motivation to enter into community with Osama?
I wanted to live in London near James (his son with M People singer Heather Small). I couldn’t have a relationship with him if I was in the north. I also didn’t think I had proven myself in the union.
You won 37 trophies in the league, so why didn’t you return to the union as a player like many of your contemporaries from RL?
It would be disrespectful for me to think that I could play a new game at 32 or 33 years old. You have to remember that the position I played was crucial. Scrum-half in league is like fly-half in union, you are the first receiver. You have to shoot well, have a good strategy, be the brain of the team. It would be difficult to learn the game to the level I would demand of myself in just a year.
So what convinced you that you could make the transition as a union coach?
I work with Ellery Hanley, who is like an older brother to me. Ellery was coaching Bath and England Saxons at the time. He made me a better player and then helped me become a better coach. I went to watch it and the strategy, the complexity of the syndicate, really fascinated me. At the same time, being close to my son meant I could be a dad. Those two things really invigorated me.
Read more: Rugby league players who played cross code
Four PREM titles in ten years at Wasps, plus two Heineken Cups and a Challenge Cup… not a bad haul?
Don’t forget the 2006 Anglo-Welsh Cup! I loved my time there, working with people like Lawrence Dallaglio, probably the best leader I’ve ever met. He lost his sister (Francesca, in the Marquis disaster in 1989) and I went through a similar scenario with my brother (Billy Joe, in a car accident in 2003).
Wales coach Shaun Edwards celebrates (Getty Images)
When Wales came in 2008, was there any doubt that you could succeed at Test level?
Players, coaches, we always have a little doubt. I remember driving over the Bridge for the first time to meet the team and thinking, ‘what am I going to say?’ I said to myself, “Sean, you’re the champion of Europe. No team from Wales has ever won the Heineken Cup.” It gave me the confidence to go in with some attitude.
We won the Grand Slam that first year and when I joined the management of the British & Irish Lions in 2009, I think I proved myself.
Read more: Everything you need to know about the upcoming Women’s Lions tour
How hard was it for you to miss out on the 2013 Lions pick?
I was the only person not selected from the coaching staff in 2009, so of course it hurt. Gets couldn’t get his entire staff in the Welsh room. Professional sports is a tough world, and I’ve been a pro since 1983. That’s how I get it.
Shaun Edwards, you are now 60 years old. What gets your competitive juices flowing?
I don’t bet horses, but something Tony McCoy said resonates with me. “I just remember my losses,” he said, “because that’s what drives me. When I heard that, I thought, ‘oh, it’s not just me!’
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