Shaun Edwards joins Argentina as defence coach to 2027 World Cup

Shaun Edwards is joining Argentina as defence coach on a deal running to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The appointment was confirmed on 9 October 2026. Edwards will work under head coach Felipe Contepomi, with responsibility for the defensive system, the shape, spacing and tackling that decides whether attacks are stopped or leak through BBC.

He will not start straight away. Edwards will first complete a short consultancy role with England's women's team, the Red Roses, which runs until the end of the WXV Global Series, the women's international competition The Guardian. He and fellow new recruit Mario Ledesma will then link up with Argentina at the end of October.

Ledesma, a former Pumas hooker, has been appointed to take charge of the forwards. That means the scrum, lineout and driving game. The timing is tight. Argentina face Ireland, Italy and France in November in Nations Championship matches, the new regular competition for leading Test nations.

Edwards, 59, left his role as France men's defence coach earlier this year. He helped France win three Six Nations titles, the annual championship contested by France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy. Before that he spent 12 years coaching Wales and was on Wasps' staff for four English league titles and two Champions Cups, Europe's top club prize.

Argentina already know their path at the next men's World Cup. The tournament will be held in Australia between 1 October and 13 November 2027, and the Pumas have been drawn in a pool alongside Fiji, Spain and Canada. Only the top sides in each pool reach the knockout rounds.

What makes this stand out is experience. Edwards has now coached at the sharp end of the Six Nations for more than a decade and a half. For fans, this means Argentina are betting on proven defensive know-how to carry them through November and on to Australia.