Shaun Edwards, the mastermind behind France’s rock-solid defence, has dropped a tantalising hint that he could be open to a return to either England or Wales as a potential head coach.
With the Welsh Rugby Union still on the lookout for a new boss after Warren Gatland’s departure during their underwhelming Six Nations campaign, the door is wide open for Edwards to make a dramatic comeback.
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Having previously held talks with England in 2022 before opting to stay on with France, the 58-year-old is now being linked with the role of replacing Steve Borthwick after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Edwards, who served as Wales’ defence coach from 2008 to 2019, was quizzed about the prospect of returning to Wales in an interview with the Daily Mail. His response was nothing short of intriguing for fans across both England and Wales.
“Any role interests me in the future, because I want to coach for as long as possible, particularly in international rugby,” Edwards said.
He continued, “I’ve proved myself as a head coach, with a team (Wasps) that won the Heineken Cup, the Premiership, and the Anglo-Welsh Cup. I know that, with my experience and the knowledge I’ve gained from working with people like Fabien Galthié and Gats, I’d be more than capable.”
Edwards exuded confidence when asked about stepping into a head coach role again, but he remained open-minded, adding, “It doesn’t bother me. As long as I’m in a job where I’m motivated, have good players to work with, who are highly motivated themselves, I can do both – assistant coach or head coach.”
In a previous interview he doubled down on his desire to coach England or Wales in the future. He wrote: “I will always keep an open mind about coaching England, or maybe returning to Wales, but now my sole focus is on France.
“My French language skills aren’t good enough to be a head coach, so for now I’ll be continuing as defence coach.
“At some point in future I’d like to make that step up to head coach at international level. I’m 56 years old and I’d like to coach into my 70s,
EDITORS PICKS:
2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool
The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, expanding to 24 teams and hosted by Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.
The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here’s a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.
Pool A
New Zealand – The Mighty All Blacks
The All Blacks are perennial powerhouses with three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). They reached the final in 2023 but were narrowly defeated by South Africa 12–11.
Argentina – Los Pumas on the Prowl
Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.
Portugal – The Lusitanian Lancers
Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.
USA – The Eagle Soars
The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.
Pool B
Ireland – The Emerald Warriors
Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.
Scotland – The Braveheart Tacklers
Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport’s elite.
Uruguay – Los Teros Tenacious
Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.
Chile – The Rugby Condors
Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.
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