Former England star James Haskell believes the RFU could turn to Shaun Edwards in light of Andy Farrell’s decision to commit his future to Ireland.
Farrell recently signed a new deal with to keep him at Ireland until 2031, ending any suggestion of a move to Twickenham, amid speculation over the long-term future of Steve Borthwick.
There had been a suggestion the RFU may opt not to extend Borthwick’s contract beyond the end of next year, with Farrell previously touted as a possible replacement.
However, Edwards could yet be available in light of his France exit, and Haskell says he wouldn’t be at all surprised to see England make a move for the former Wales defence coach.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad, and the Rugby podcast, he said: “It’s going to break all the hearts of all the people that want to fire Borthwick and get Andy Farrell in because he’s still off the menu.
“Will it stop people going ‘we should get Andy Farrell’? That’s not gonna happen.
“But there is another man that they might get.
“I don’t know and I would not put any money on it but I have a very very small intuition that um Sean Edwards might end up with England.
“He’s leaving France. He’s obviously available.
“We don’t know why he’s left or what’s happened. Whether it’s looking for the next challenge, but if you had someone like that in the mix, who has a track record of in short time periods getting the best out of a team emotionally, defensively. His strategies work in a very very quick period of time.
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“Shaun is extremely smart,” Haskell added.
“He emotionally understands how to connect and he specialises in creating a fun aggressive environment.
“But also he’s very good at mobilising the mob. That’s why Warren and Shaun were doing well on Lions tours and coming in with Wasps. The question mark over that as a coaching system was the longevity. Whether they progressed and developed.
“I think Shaun’s gone off now to different teams. I think he was always progressive. I always remember him always trying to upskill himself. So I think if you were going to give England the best winning chance, throw him in.
“It’ll either go one of two ways, but he is notoriously fantastic at delivering in that short time and turning things around.”
There has been no official confirmation on Edwards’ France departure yet but podcast host Alex Payne revealed sources say an announcement is expected this week.
Haskell admits any new arrival would need the RFU to show a potentially ruthless streak that could potentially upset the current balance
Haskell added: “The issue is then when you bring someone else in, the ruthless thing is you would go, ‘This is Shaun Edwards. He’s won more trophies than anyone. This is what he does. This is what he can do in a short period of time. I’m very sorry, but it’s it’s a no-brainer. You have to be out’.
“But what will probably happen is if he does get him, he’ll shuffle someone else to give someone another job to keep them all together because it’ll be unfair and harsh. That’s when it becomes complicated.
“You had the same thing when Stuart Lancaster wanted Andy Farrell. He couldn’t get Andy Farrell. He got Mike Catt, he then could get Andy Farrell, he kept Andy Farrell, Mike Catt, and they all were in the same mix.
“It’s difficult because you know when someone’s been employed to do a job and then can’t do that job and has moved to like a skills coach. It’s a little bit demeaning.
“It’s tricky. You’re sort of trying to keep everyone, appease everyone. When the ultimate thing would come in and go this is Sean Edwards. Look at his CV. You’re not in comparison. I’m so sorry. Jog on.
“Or you move into a job where they are comfortable with but you then ultimately just have lots and lots of people around. But if you can make it all work and manage it then that’s excellent.”
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