Shaun Edwards joins England women's coaching staff on short-term basis - 'His coaching credentials are exceptional'
By Ben Morse
Published 21/09/2026 at 13:17 GMT+1
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Shaun Edwards has joined the England women's coaching staff on a "short-term coaching consultancy role," it was announced on Sunday. Edwards is regarded as one of the best defensive coaches in rugby.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
A press release stated that Edwards will join The Red Roses to work with defence coach Sarah Hunter for the remainder of their WXV Global Series campaign.
"Shaun and I have competed against each other in the international coaching arena for a very long time and I am very respectful of what he has delivered," head coach John Mitchell said of Edwards. "I'm looking forward to learning and working with him.
"Since his time with France ended, we have had a conversation about our game, and he expressed an interest in working in an international women’s set-up for the first time.
"He has a huge amount of respect for The Red Roses and what we stand for; he sees it as a privilege to join our environment.
"His coaching credentials are exceptional and his experience at the highest level of the game speaks for itself.
"Defensively, Sarah Hunter is relishing the opportunity to learn from him, alongside the rest of our coaching group, as we head into another exciting Test match against New Zealand.
"Shaun will add to the programme and provide incredible value to the girls over the remainder of the WXV Global Series."
A successful rugby league player, Edwards began his storied coaching career with London Wasps, winning domestic and European titles as head coach over a 10-year spell.
He also had a successful 12-year period as Wales' defensive coach, winning four Guinness Men's Six Nations Championships during that span.
Most recently, he was appointed France's defence coach in 2020, playing his part in a Guinness Men's Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022, and back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026, before leaving the position earlier this year.
Edwards joins ahead of the Red Roses' WXV Global Series match against New Zealand on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
In their last match, England's 39-match winning run was ended thanks to a 26-26 draw with Canada at Sandy Park.
After the meeting with The Black Ferns on Saturday, The Red Roses travel to Canada to face The Maple Leafs twice, first at BMO Field on Friday, October 16, and then on Friday, October 23 at TD Place.
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Edwards has previously never coached England's men's or women's teams. In a recent interview, the 59-year-old outlined his dream of coaching for his national team.
"I'm definitely open to offers now, until I sort out a full-time role," he told the Daily Mail. "I'm a proud Englishman and everybody loves to represent their country, don't they? I'm no different."
The press release announcing Edwards' appointment said The Red Roses will be able to "to tap into his vast coaching experience while the former British & Irish Lions coach has expressed his openness of learning from a world-leading environment in the women’s game."
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