Shaun Edwards Hints at Leaving France Coaching Role for Opportunity with Six Nations Rival
Rugby NewsMonday, 22 September 2025 at 19:59
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.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
Pool C
South Africa – The Springbok Stalwarts
South Africa are masters of forward play and history-makers, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 12–11 victory over New Zealand.
Fiji – The Flying Fijians
Fiji’s flair and skill make them exciting to watch, blending tradition with dynamic attacking rugby.
Tonga – The Island Titans
Tonga brings relentless physicality and passion, often punching above their weight.
Romania – The Oak Strongmen
Romania has a long-standing rugby tradition, emphasizing forward dominance and set-piece strength.
Pool D
France – Les Bleus Unleashed
France is unpredictable and dynamic, capable of taking down any team with flair and creativity.
Italy – The Azzurri Avengers
Italy has steadily improved, developing young talent and focusing on competitive consistency.
Spain – The Iberian Bulls
Spain is emerging in European rugby, combining speed, skill, and growing experience on the international stage.
Hong Kong China – The Dragon Chargers
Hong Kong China qualified for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, defeating South Korea 70–22 in the final. This marks a significant milestone for rugby in Asia.
Pool E
England – The Red Rose Rampagers
England has a rich rugby heritage, with a strong domestic league and impressive international pedigree.
Georgia – The Scrum Kings
Known for their formidable scrum and forward play, Georgia is a rising force in European rugby.
Samoa – The Island Hurricanes
Samoa’s team combines skill, physicality, and a passionate rugby culture.
Canada – The Maple Warriors
Canada continues to develop their program, aiming to compete strongly on the world stage.
Pool F
Australia – The Wallabies on Home Turf
The host nation brings talent and experience, ready to dazzle crowds across seven cities.
Wales – The Dragon Fire
Wales is known for passionate supporters and a team that often exceeds expectations.
Japan – The Rising Sun Speedsters
Japan has become a force with speed, discipline, and memorable performances in previous World Cups.
Zimbabwe – The Sables’ Return
Zimbabwe qualified for 2027 by defeating Namibia 30–28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.
Tournament Format
The 24-team format features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including a Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.
Host Cities
Matches will take place across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.
Ticketing
Over 2.5 million tickets will be available, with travel packages launching in 2026.
QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men’s Rugby World Cups?
Think you know your rugby history? Test your knowledge and see if you can name all 26 teams that have played at the Men's Rugby World Cup.
You've got just 5 minutes on the clock – no pressure!
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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