Flutey backs Shaun Edwards to add 'huge value' to Red Roses ahead of England-New Zealand clash

Riki Flutey has backed Shaun Edwards to make an immediate impact with the Red Roses, describing the newly appointed England consultant as one of the finest coaches he has ever worked under — just days before the pair find themselves on opposite sides when England face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium.

Edwards joins John Mitchell’s staff on a short-term basis, marking the first time the 59-year-old has coached an England team. Flutey, meanwhile, serves as backs and skills coach for a Black Ferns side that has yet to lose a game since Whitney Hansen took charge at the start of 2026.

“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever been coached by,” Flutey said. “I learned so much from him, both from a strategy and technical point of view, particularly around defence, but also mindset and mentality. From what I remember of Shaun, he keeps things really simple, which is really important for players. Every environment he’s been in, he’s been one of the most successful coaches, definitely in the Six Nations.”

The pair share a deep professional history. They spent three seasons together across two spells at Wasps, winning the 2007/08 Guinness Premiership in their first campaign together. Flutey was also coached by Edwards on the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

Edwards arrives at England with one of the most decorated CVs in the sport. His decade at Wasps produced four Premiership titles and two Heineken Cup wins. Twelve years with Wales delivered four Men’s Six Nations championships, including three Grand Slams. Six years with France brought a 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam and back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026, before he departed earlier this year despite having 18 months remaining on his contract.

He will work alongside Sarah Hunter, England’s most-capped international and the team’s defence coach since her retirement in 2023.

England head into the fixture having seen their 39-match winning run ended by a 26-26 draw with Canada in their last WXV Global Series outing — a repeat of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final.

Flutey also has a direct connection to England head coach Mitchell, having served alongside him as an assistant coach in Jamie Joseph’s Japan set-up at Rugby World Cup 2023. That familiarity only deepens his respect for what the Red Roses could produce.

“Knowing John Mitchell from the last men’s World Cup with Japan, also knowing Shaun and the England game, they pride themselves on their physicality and they’ve got an amazing defence,” Flutey said.