Shaun Edwards, the mastermind behind France\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
With the Welsh Rugby Union still on the lookout for a new boss after Warren Gatland\u2019s departure during their underwhelming Six Nations campaign, the door is wide open for Edwards to make a dramatic comeback.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Edwards, who served as Wales\u2019 defence coach from 2008 to 2019, was quizzed about the prospect of returning to Wales in an interview with the\u00a0Daily Mail. His response was nothing short of intriguing for fans across both England and Wales.<\/p>\n \u201cAny role interests me in the future, because I want to coach for as long as possible, particularly in international rugby,\u201d Edwards said.<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019ve gained from working with people like Fabien Galthi\u00e9 and Gats, I\u2019d be more than capable.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwards exuded confidence when asked about stepping into a head coach role again, but he remained open-minded, adding, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t bother me. As long as I\u2019m in a job where I\u2019m motivated, have good players to work with, who are highly motivated themselves, I can do both \u2013 assistant coach or head coach.\u201d<\/p>\n In a previous interview he doubled down on his desire to coach England or Wales in the future. He wrote: \u201cI will always keep an open mind about coaching England, or maybe returning to Wales, but now my sole focus is on France. <\/p>\n \u201cMy French language skills aren\u2019t good enough to be a head coach, so for now I\u2019ll be continuing as defence coach.<\/p>\n \u201cAt some point in future I\u2019d like to make that step up to head coach at international level. I\u2019m 56 years old and I\u2019d like to coach into my 70s,<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here\u2019s a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.<\/p>\n Pool A<\/p>\n New Zealand \u2013 The Mighty All Blacks<\/p>\n 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\u201311.<\/p>\n Argentina \u2013 Los Pumas on the Prowl<\/p>\n Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.<\/p>\n Portugal \u2013 The Lusitanian Lancers<\/p>\n Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.<\/p>\n USA \u2013 The Eagle Soars<\/p>\n The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.<\/p>\n Pool B<\/p>\n Ireland \u2013 The Emerald Warriors<\/p>\n Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.<\/p>\n Scotland \u2013 The Braveheart Tacklers<\/p>\n Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n Uruguay \u2013 Los Teros Tenacious<\/p>\n Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.<\/p>\n Chile \u2013 The Rugby Condors<\/p>\n Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n