Shaun Edwards to coach at Rugby World Cup after new Test role revealed

Shaun Edwards will coach at next year’s World Cup in Australia after a surprise appointment to join Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina staff next month, ending hopes that he might join Steve Borthwick and England.

Wigan Warriors legend Edwards, 59, who has won seven Six Nations titles with France and Wales, is currently working with England Women’s coaching team on a short-term consultancy for the WXV Global Series.

This raised hopes that he might link up with Borthwick, especially after it was announced that Joe El-Abd is leaving to return to France after the World Cup, but he has now secured a role with the Pumas.

Edwards is currently in North America preparing for two Tests against Canada and a fixture against the United States, and will join Argentina when his contract expires.

The defensive guru had been linked to a three-man shortlist to coach Fiji, alongside Springbok World Cup winner Jake White and his former Wasps and Wales boss, Warren Gatland.

He is joined by Mario Ledesma, head coach of the Pumas between 2018 and 2022, who also bolstered Contepomi’s backroom team as forwards coach ahead of Nations Championship games with Ireland, Italy and France before the final weekend in London.

It will be a quick reunion with Les Bleus after leaving after seven years in the summer, a surprising move given he had just helped win back-to-back Six Nations titles.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Felipe Contepomi, his coaching staff, and the Argentinian team at the end of this month and through to next year’s World Cup in Australia.

“I’ve always admired the skill and quality of Argentinian players, and I look forward to contributing my international experience to the team over the next year,” said Edwards.

“Mario and Shaun arrive at Los Pumas with enormous international experience. They know what it means to compete at the highest level and can contribute a lot to the team.

“With the World Cup just a year away, they will help us continue to grow as a team and prepare in the best possible way for what’s to come,” added Contepomi.