Edwards: Borthwick turned down my offer to work with England — SkimNews
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- Shaun Edwards offered to join England's coaching staff for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, saying he would accept any role, including 'assistant kit man', to contribute to the team
- Steve Borthwick declined Edwards' offer, stating he was content with his existing coaching setup, a decision Edwards said he respected after their phone conversation
- Shaun Edwards recently left his role with France’s national team after six years, during which they won three Six Nations titles, including back-to-back in 2025 and 2026
- Shaun Edwards has since joined Argentina’s coaching staff ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, while continuing a prior short-term role with England’s women’s team
- Richard Wigglesworth remains in charge of England’s defence under Borthwick, with Byron McGuigan, Joe El-Abd, and Kevin Sinfield also part of the current coaching team
- England faces Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in the Nations Championship in November 2026, with fixtures at Twickenham ahead of the finals weekend
Why it matters: Edwards’ public offer and rejection highlights a strategic choice by Borthwick to maintain continuity over star power, potentially affecting England’s defensive development ahead of the 2027 World Cup with only nine Tests to finalize the squad.
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