Shaun Edwards gives forthright response to Lions speculation

Shaun Edwards has insisted that he is 100 per cent committed to his job as France’s defensive guru after being linked with a job on Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions coaching team for this summer’s tour of Australia.

Edwards, who has been part of Fabien Galthie’s coaching team since 2020, would miss France’s summer tour to New Zealand if he is named by Farrell when he unveils his lieutenants on Wednesday week.

The latest speculation about Farrell’s coaching team has rugby league legend Edwards working alongside Adam Jones, Paul O’Connell, and Richard Wigglesworth.

Edwards, who spent six years playing in the same all-conquering Wigan Warriors team as Farrell admitted to The Times, “I would even swim all the way to Australia if Faz calls me.”

But Edwards, who was part of the Lions set-up in 2009 and was linked with a return to Wales once Warren Gatland stepped aside, is now likely to turn down any invitation from Farrell.

Edwards says that his sole focus has been winning a seventh Six Nations title, but also lingering in the background is a desire to help Les Bleus win their first World Cup in 2027 after finishing as runners-up in 1987, 1999 and 2011.

“Lately, I’ve only thought about the Six Nations tournament. I am completely, 100 per cent, dedicated to the French team. Then, obviously, everyone wants to win the World Cup.

“With the players we have, at the age they are, all hopes are allowed. I’m not going to tell everyone that we’re going to win it. The others would use it to motivate themselves.

“But I think we really have a good team. Most of our players will be around 28, 29, or 30 years old when the World Cup arrives, so we can hope to get there,” he told AFP before last weekend’s win over Ireland.