Shaun Edwards joins Red Roses for WXV run after France exit
Shaun Edwards has joined England Women in a short-term coaching consultancy for the rest of their WXV campaign.
The Red Roses — the nickname for England's women's rugby union team — confirmed the appointment on 21 September, according to the BBC. It is consultancy work, not a permanent staff post. It covers the remaining matches in the WXV Global Series, the annual competition that pits the best women's Test sides against each other.
Edwards will work alongside defence coach Sarah Hunter. Defence in rugby union means the tackling system, the line speed and how a team organises after the tackle when the ball is still live. His first match in the role is against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Head coach John Mitchell leads the Red Roses. He has brought Edwards in after England's long unbeaten run came to a halt. Their 39-Test winning streak ended with a 26-26 draw against Canada.
The timing is striking. Edwards recently left his job as France men's defence coach. He won three Six Nations titles in that role. The Six Nations is the yearly championship between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Despite a long coaching career, he had never previously worked for England's men's or women's teams. That is a notable detail. Edwards is English, born in Wigan, but he built his union coaching reputation with Wales and then France.
Older fans will know him from rugby league. That is the 13-a-side code, played without the rucks and mauls of union and decided by a six-tackle count. Edwards won 36 caps for Great Britain as a player, which means 36 full international appearances.
He had signalled he wanted back in. Speaking last week, Edwards said he was open to returning to Test-level coaching and keen to be involved with a Six Nations team, as reported by Planet Rugby.
For fans, this means fresh eyes on a familiar problem. England score freely. Stopping New Zealand will be the test. The Black Ferns move the ball fast and punish narrow defences.
