Shaun Edwards joins Argentina staff to coach at 2025 Rugby World Cup in Australia

Shaun Edwards will coach at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia after being appointed to Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina backroom staff, ending speculation that the defensive guru might join Steve Borthwick’s England setup. The 59-year-old will link up with the Pumas at the end of this month following the conclusion of his short-term consultancy with England Women.

Edwards, a Wigan Warriors legend who won seven Six Nations titles across spells with Wales and France, is currently in North America with England Women preparing for Tests against Canada and the United States. He will join Argentina once that contract expires.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Felipe Contepomi, his coaching staff, and the Argentinian team at the end of this month and through to next year’s World Cup in Australia,” Edwards said. “I’ve always admired the skill and quality of Argentinian players, and I look forward to contributing my international experience to the team over the next year.”

The appointment had not been widely anticipated. Edwards’s work with England Women had fuelled hopes within English rugby circles that Borthwick might bring him into the senior men’s setup, particularly after it emerged that defence coach Joe El-Abd is departing to return to France after the World Cup. Edwards had also been linked with a role at Fiji, reportedly on a three-man shortlist alongside Springbok World Cup winner Jake White and his former Wasps and Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

Edwards is joined in Contepomi’s revamped backroom team by Mario Ledesma, who served as Pumas head coach between 2018 and 2022. Ledesma had already been brought in as forwards coach for Argentina’s Nations Championship fixtures against Ireland, Italy, and France.

Contepomi welcomed both additions ahead of a World Cup cycle that begins in earnest. “Mario and Shaun arrive at Los Pumas with enormous international experience. They know what it means to compete at the highest level and can contribute a lot to the team,” he said. “With the World Cup just a year away, they will help us continue to grow as a team and prepare in the best possible way for what’s to come.”

For Edwards, the role represents a swift return to the international stage after leaving France in the summer following seven years with Les Bleus — a departure that surprised many given he had just helped secure back-to-back Six Nations titles.