mens
international
Shaun Edwards will coach at next year’s World Cup Australia after a surprise deal to join Felipe Contepomi Argentina staff next month, ending hopes he could join Steve Borthwick and England.
Wigan Warriors legend Edwards, 59, who won seven Six Nations titles with France and Walesa, currently working with England Women’s coaching staff on short-term consulting for the WXV Global Series.
It raised hopes he could link up with Borthwick, especially after it was announced Joe El-Abd was leaving to return to France after the World Cup, but he has now secured a role at the Pumas.
Edwards is currently in North America preparing for two Tests against Canada and the match against the United States, and will join Argentina when his contract expires.
The defense guru has been linked with a three-man shortlist to coach Fiji, along with Springbok World Cup winner Jake White and his former Wasps and Wales boss, Warren Gatland.
He is joined by Mario Ledesma, head coach Cougars between 2018 and 2022, who also bolstered Contepomi’s backroom team as forwards coach Nations Championship matches with Ireland, Italy and France before the final weekend in London.
It will be a quick reunion with Les Bleus after leaving after seven years in the summer, a surprising move considering he has just helped win back-to-back Six Nations titles.
“I am delighted to be joining Felipe Contepomi, his coaching staff and the Argentina team at the end of this month until next year’s World Cup in Australia.
“I have always admired the skill and quality of Argentina’s players, and I look forward to contributing my international experience to the team in the coming year,” said Edwards.
“Mario and Shaun arrive at Los Pumas with huge international experience. They know what it means to compete at the highest level and can contribute a lot to the team.
“With the World Cup just a year away, they will help us continue to grow as a team and prepare in the best possible way for what’s to come,” added Contepomi.
