Edwards joins England women coaching team as consultant

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Edwards was sacked as France’s defence coach earlier this year and has now linked up with the Red Roses until their final match of the current campaign, against the USA in New Jersey on October 30.

The 59-year-old rugby league great will begin work ahead of Saturday’s clash with New Zealand at Twickenham.

England head coach John Mitchell said: “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 setup 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.”

It is only the fourth role of Edwards’s standout 25-year coaching career, with the Red Roses joining Wasps, Wales and France on his CV.

The former Great Britain captain was unexpectedly axed in the wake of France’s Six Nations title triumph in March, having been in charge of their defence since 2020.

He helped Les Bleus win the Championship three times, but head coach Fabien Galthie revealed in June he wanted to shake-up a back-room team that had been place in long-term.

Joining the England women set-up on a short-term basis clears Edwards to be involved in the men’s Six Nations, with his ambition being to link up with a side in time for the competition.

To date there has been no indication that Edwards will become a part of the England men’s set-up.

Head coach Steve Borthwick is well stocked for assistants, with his number two Richard Wigglesworth currently overseeing defence – Edwards’s specialist department.