Borthwick turned down Edwards' England offer — SkimNews
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- Shaun Edwards told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast that he offered to serve as England's "assistant kit man" at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, but Steve Borthwick declined, saying he was "very, very honest" and happy with his current staff and "the way things have been going."
- Edwards ended a six-year spell with France earlier this year, during which Les Bleus won three Six Nations, including back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026.
- Edwards, 60, worked with the England women's team on a short-term basis and has now moved onto Argentina's staff until the end of next year's World Cup, which runs across October and November.
- Edwards was Wales' defence coach from 2008 to 2019, helping the side to three Six Nations triumphs, and won two Champions Cups and four domestic titles at Wasps, first as defence coach and then head coach.
- Richard Wigglesworth remains in charge of England's defence, with Byron McGuigan, Joe El-Abd and Kevin Sinfield also on Borthwick's staff, leaving the existing coaching group unchanged.
- England return to action in the Nations Championship against Australia at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on November 8, then face Japan on November 14 and New Zealand on November 21, before finals weekend from November 27-29.
Why it matters: With Wigglesworth already leading England's defence and the same group in place for the November 8-21 Nations Championship fixtures, Borthwick's refusal keeps England's setup intact — while a coach who won three Six Nations with France moves to Argentina's staff through the end of next year's World Cup.
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