Bill Sweeney and the senior leadership at the RFU aren’t exactly known for moving quickly, but English rugby’s senior figures must now put their foot to the floor.
Time is of the essence. The fact rugby’s most decorated defence coach will soon be on the market a little over a year out from the World Cup demands emergency action. Every so often in life, best-laid plans have to change due to unforeseen circumstances and Shaun Edwards’ imminent availability is an opportunity the RFU simply cannot afford to miss.
It is a huge surprise that fresh from helping France to yet another Six Nations title, Edwards is set to leave his role as assistant to Fabien Galthie.
The 2026 Championship triumph was his seventh in total, having won three while working over the Channel and four in his past role with Wales.
Of those seven, Edwards has four Grand Slams to his name. As a player and a coach across rugby’s two codes, his record is unmatched. He is a winning machine.
And that is why England cannot afford to pass up on the chance to hire him now, as they have done so wastefully in the past. Signing the 59-year-old might not be straightforward while the complexities of his French departure are ironed out. But in many ways, the situation is simple.
It is a huge surprise that fresh from helping France to yet another Six Nations title, Shaun Edwards is set to leave his role as assistant to Fabien Galthie
Edwards is the best defence coach in the world by some distance. His CV shows that, with more than 50 trophies on it
Edwards is English. He will be attracted by the prospect of not only working with his home nation, but also helping turn them from underachievers into a team capable of lifting trophies. That’s what Edwards – clearly the best defence coach in the world by some distance – does. His CV shows that, with more than 50 trophies on it.
He is, undoubtedly, what England need.
In years gone by, the RFU have criminally let Edwards slip through their net. The two parties held talks as recently as 2022. It simply cannot be allowed to happen again.
As chief executive, Sweeney must lead the hunt for Edwards and, regardless of the current make-up of the England coaching ticket, look to add him to the roster as soon as possible.
After surviving the RFU’s review into England’s disastrous Six Nations, head coach Steve Borthwick is under pressure to get the national side back on track.
He already has Richard Wigglesworth, Joe El-Abd, Byron McGuigan and Kevin Sinfield – who all have defence knowledge – on his staff. But let’s be quite frank about this. None of those four men, for all of their attributes, are in Edwards’ league.
Hiring Edwards makes sense for all manner of reasons. Some have questioned whether his powers are on the wane after France shipped 96 points in their final two Six Nations games against Scotland and England. But my view is that is more of a reflection of where the international game is at – with attack on top – than any slight on his abilities. Edwards is a brilliant motivator.
England certainly have the talent to rival the world’s best. They just need someone to unlock it. Edwards can be that man.
He would also bring much-needed experience to the RFU. Borthwick is a young international coach and is surrounded by similar figures. Edwards has been there, seen it and done it all.
Edwards has won the Six Nations seven times across his stints with France and Wales. As a player and a coach across rugby’s two codes, his record is unmatched. He’s a winning machine
Steve Borthwick (left) has coaches with defence knowledge like Kevin Sinfield (right) on his staff – but they are not in Edwards’ league
Rotating a coaching team at this stage of a World Cup cycle is not ideal, but history has shown it does not need to be a barrier to global success.
Indeed, New Zealand have just hired an entirely brand-new backroom staff, headed up by head coach Dave Rennie. Rassie Erasmus had just 18 months to work with the Springboks before leading them to World Cup glory in 2019. Edwards being brought in to work alongside Borthwick would be a small change by comparison.
It is unlikely Edwards will be free to join another team before the Nations Championship begins this summer. But make no mistake, he will not be short of suitors.
Sweeney must make sure England are first in the queue to acquire his services, by picking up the phone to Edwards this week. France’s imminent loss must be England’s gain. And it could well be the catalyst to get Borthwick’s men back on track.
Over to you, Bill.
