The short version
- Shaun Edwards confirmed that England head coach Steve Borthwick declined an offer for him to join the coaching staff for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
- Edwards has since committed to a role with Argentina, citing Borthwick's satisfaction with his current backroom team as the reason for the rejection.
- The decision comes amid England's recent struggles for consistency, while Edwards reflects on his brief consultancy work with the women's national side.
Shaun Edwards, widely regarded as one of the most influential defense coaches in international rugby, has confirmed that he was not selected to join England’s coaching staff for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The decorated specialist revealed that he proactively offered his services to head coach Steve Borthwick, proposing even a minor role such as assistant kit man to ensure his availability for the tournament. However, Borthwick declined the offer, stating clearly that he was satisfied with his current personnel and the direction of the team.
Following this rejection, Edwards has formalized a commitment to work with Argentina through the conclusion of the World Cup in Australia. This move marks another significant chapter for the 60-year-old, who departed his position with France earlier this year. His decision to align with the Pumas follows a period of transition after leaving the French national setup, where he had previously helped restore the team’s status as a global contender.
The interaction between Edwards and Borthwick was described by the coach as direct and honest. Edwards expressed respect for Borthwick’s candor, noting that the head coach made it clear he did not wish to alter his established backroom unit. This setup includes Richard Wigglesworth overseeing defense, supported by Byron McGuigan and Joe El-Abd. The decision underscores Borthwick’s confidence in his existing strategy despite external interest in bringing in high-profile expertise.
Edwards’ career is defined by a string of major successes across multiple nations and competitions. During a twelve-year tenure with Wales, he contributed to three Six Nations Grand Slams. Later, while coaching Wasps in England, he secured four domestic titles and two Champions Cup victories. His subsequent work with France resulted in three additional Six Nations championships, cementing his reputation as a transformative figure in defensive coaching. Despite these achievements, he has never held a permanent role with the England men’s team.
Interest in Edwards joining the English setup is not new. The Rugby Football Union explored bringing him into their coaching pathway in 2006 and 2008. More recently, in 2021, then-CEO Bill Sweeney held informal discussions with Edwards but ultimately decided against competing with France for his services. These past attempts highlight the long-standing desire within English rugby to harness Edwards’ tactical acumen, a desire that persisted until this latest direct offer was turned down.
The timing of this development coincides with a period of instability for the England men’s team. After a twelve-match winning streak was ended by Scotland in February, the squad suffered five consecutive defeats. Although they have recently secured victories against Fiji and Argentina, their form remains inconsistent. The team now faces a demanding schedule through November, including matches against Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and a Nations Championship play-off.
In contrast to his unfulfilled ambitions with the men’s side, Edwards found value in a brief consultancy role with England’s women’s team earlier this year. He observed their victory over New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, noting the team’s resilience despite being outplayed in possession and territory. The Red Roses made 310 tackles while conceding only 19 points, a statistical anomaly that Edwards found remarkable given his experience that high tackle counts usually correlate with defeat.
Edwards also reflected on the cultural differences he observed between the men’s and women’s teams. He noted that the female players approached matchdays with a sense of joy and relaxation, whereas male teams often appear tense and burdened. This observation led him to reconsider pre-match routines, suggesting that a more relaxed atmosphere might yield better results. Despite his extensive coaching resume, Edwards remains surprised that he has not yet been appointed as a head coach for a Test nation, having believed he was a strong candidate for the Wales job in 2019.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Borthwick turned down my offer to work with England - Edwards
