Shaun Edwards Expresses Interest in Head Coach Role Amid Wales Vacancy
France defence coach, Shaun Edwards, has expressed his interest in taking on a head coach position, particularly in international rugby, when asked about a potential return to Wales. Edwards, who had a successful partnership with Warren Gatland during his previous tenure with Wales, has recently clinched yet another Six Nations title with France. Although he has been linked with a role with the British Lions this summer, he remains committed to his current role with France, where his focus lies. Edwards is contracted until the end of the next World Cup in 2027 but his future beyond that remains uncertain.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) CEO, Abi Tierney, is currently leading the search for Gatland’s successor as the head coach of the Welsh national team. In an interview with MailOnline, Edwards expressed his confidence in leading a coaching team at the test level, citing his successful experiences with clubs like Wasps and under the mentorship of top coaches like Fabien Galthié and Gatland. He emphasised his desire to continue coaching for as long as possible and highlighted his track record of winning major honours with Wasps.
When specifically asked about the Wales head coach role, Edwards expressed his keenness for any coaching position, whether as a head coach or an assistant coach. He stressed the importance of working with motivated players and hinted at being open to either role. Edwards acknowledged that he feels prepared to take on the responsibilities of a head coach role due to his extensive experience and learnings from renowned coaches in rugby and other sports. His focus remains on delivering results and developing players at an international level.
With Edwards’s reputation as a successful coach and his proven track record in club and international rugby, his potential interest in the vacant Wales head coach position adds an exciting dimension to the search for Gatland’s successor. As Wales looks to usher in a new era of success on the international stage, the prospect of Edwards taking on a leadership role within the national team setup will undoubtedly generate further interest and speculation among rugby enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more updates on Shaun Edwards and the developments surrounding the Wales head coach vacancy.