Shaun Edwards has signed with Argentina for next year’s World Cup, ending any chance the Wigan-born defence guru will join Steve Borthwick’s England set-up.
Edwards, 59, is the most decorated coach in rugby history and has won seven men’s Six Nations titles. He left a trophy-laden stint with France earlier this year and is currently working with England’s women’s side on a consultancy basis.
Edwards being under the RFU’s umbrella – albeit on a short-term basis – had raised the tantalising prospect of him transferring across to the country’s men’s team ahead of the 2027 global showpiece in Australia, especially after he told Daily Mail Sport last month he wanted to join the England set-up full-time: ‘I’m a proud Englishman and everybody loves to represent their country, don’t they? I’m no different.’
But that won’t be happening now. It is understood Edwards is disappointed there was no long-term offer to stay with England, though he is now looking forward to a new challenge in South America.
Edwards will begin his work with Argentina in time for their Nations Championship games away to Ireland, Italy and France next month. He has won more than 50 trophies across his playing and coaching career, and previously held successful backroom roles with Wasps, Wales and the British and Irish Lions before helping turn France into the northern hemisphere’s dominant force.
With Argentina, he will work under the guidance of their head coach and former fly-half Felipe Contepomi and joined by Mario Ledesma, who will work with the team’s forwards. Ledesma was previously head coach of the Pumas between 2018 and 2022. ‘I am delighted to join Felipe Contepomi, his coaching staff, and the Argentine team later this month, staying on through next year’s World Cup in Australia,’ Edwards said. ‘I have always admired the skill and quality of Argentine players and I hope to contribute some of my international experience to the team over the coming year.’
Shaun Edwards, widely regarded as one of the best defence coaches in world rugby, has slipped through England’s fingers again
The 59-year-old has been in the RFU building for the last few weeks as a consultant for the Red Roses, but he will now join Argentina
Analysis: The RFU has shot itself in the foot again – letting Edwards slip away is a grave mistake
by Alex Bywater
By letting Shaun Edwards slip through their own net after finally getting him in an England tracksuit, the RFU has shot itself in the foot a year out from the next World Cup.
Edwards has a reputation for being the best in the world at what he does – and has the medals to prove it. It is barely believable and bordering on criminal that the RFU has not capitalised on what was a glorious opportunity to finally bring Edwards on board full-time without even having to pay compensation to another employer.
It is a grave mistake and represents rugby negligence at the heart of the organisation. Edwards’ aura, experience, no-nonsense methods and winning record would have been perfect for England right now as they look to get back on track after a stuttering 2026 so far and try to catch up with the game’s leading sides South Africa, France and New Zealand. His signing would also have been a good PR play for the RFU.
What a shame it is that the organisation hasn’t had the foresight to do it. It says a lot about Bill Sweeney, the RFU chief executive, and Borthwick as head coach that they haven’t grasped the nettle and offered Edwards a role. It was there on a plate.
Only this week, England’s current defence coach Joe El Abd confirmed he will be leaving his role after the World Cup, and is expected to take up a role at French Top14 side Clermont Auvergne.
If that’s the case, Borthwick should have thanked his good friend and former room-mate at the University of Bath El Abd for his services, but told him in no uncertain terms that if he’s not with England for the long haul, he can move on now. El Abd should have been gone this month with Edwards replacing him.
It’s Borthwick’s prerogative to choose who he wants to work with. But it’s impossible to ignore the fact that allowing Edwards to join another of England’s rivals will prove to be a huge error.
Let’s be honest here. England’s current set-up is badly underperforming. Earlier this year, the national team – which remains packed with talent – produced its worst-ever Six Nations with a fifth-place finish and a first loss at the hands of Italy. The environment is absolutely ripe for shaking up and the current coaching set-up is inexperienced at international level. Edwards would have been the perfect addition.
Edwards has brought in trophies wherever he has been, starting at Wasps and then bringing glory to Wales (left) and France (right)
Joe El Abd has just announced he will leave his role as assistant coach and is expected to move to Clermont. He should have been told to go now, with Edwards in to replace him
Edwards would have challenged Borthwick and his current assistants and made changes. Instead, England’s loss is Argentina’s gain
He would have challenged Borthwick and his current assistants and made changes. England’s women’s players have already spoken in glowing terms of the impact Edwards has made on them even in such a short time. He has done that wherever he has gone. Just think of what Edwards could have done with England’s men’s players across the next 12 months. Alas, those players and supporters will never know what might have been.
The RFU are understood to be happy with their men’s coaching team, having won 12 games in a row in 2025 before what they admit was a poor Six Nations. That was followed by a summer of two wins from three matches. There is also a feeling at the RFU that changing their backroom team a year out from a World Cup would be disruptive – though, of course, Borthwick himself replaced Eddie Jones as head coach just nine months before the most recent global showpiece.
Edwards not joining England is Argentina’s gain. The Pumas have plenty of talent, but sometimes lack structure and cohesion – qualities Edwards brings in spades, even if there have been suggestions in some quarters he is not now the force he was.
Argentina have a relatively easy World Cup task, having been drawn in Pool C alongside Fiji, Spain and Canada before likely facing Chile, Samoa or Tonga in the last 16 and then Ireland or Scotland in the quarter-finals. With Edwards in their camp, you never know what might happen for Argentina, who have reached the semi-finals in three of the last five World Cups.
England have, instead, decided to stick and not twist despite Edwards being keen to stay with them. The RFU’s failure to sign Edwards will undoubtedly go down badly with England supporters who were keen to see him work with his home nation. They are right to be annoyed. What a wasted opportunity.
