England rugby: Shaun Edwards says Steve Borthwick turned down his offer to work with side at 2027 World Cup | Rugby Union News | Sky Sports
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Shaun Edwards told Steve Borthwick that he would be “assistant kit man” if required but England head coach happy with his current staff; Borthwick’s side play Australia at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Sunday, before clashes with Japan and New Zealand across the next two weekends
Monday 2 November 2026 18:17, UK
Shaun Edwards says England head coach Steve Borthwick turned down his offer to work with the side at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Renowned defence coach Shaun Edwards says England boss Steve Borthwick turned down his offer to work with the side at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Edwards ended a six-year spell with France – during which Les Bleus won three Six Nations, including back-to-back in 2025 and 2026 – earlier this year.
The 60-year-old worked with the England women’s team on a short-term basis and has now moved onto Argentina’s staff until the end of next year’s World Cup, which runs across October and November.
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Speaking to the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Edwards said: “I had a good chat with Steve [Borthwick] over the phone. I said he can make me assistant kit man and I’ll be there, I’ll be ready for work.
“He was very, very honest with me and I thanked him for that. He said he was happy with his staff and the way things have been going, and I respected him for that.”
Edwards was Wales’ defence coach from 2008-2019, helping the side to three Six Nations triumphs, while his success in club rugby union includes two Champions Cups and four domestic titles at Wasps, first as defence coach and then head coach.
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The former rugby league player has frequently been linked with the England set-up over the years but will not be joining for now at least, with Richard Wigglesworth currently in charge of defence.
Byron McGuigan, Joe El-Abd and Kevin Sinfield are other members of Borthwick’s coaching staff.
England return to action in the Nations Championship on Sunday as they take on Australia at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
Borthwick’s side go on to play Japan and New Zealand at the same venue on November 14 and November 21 respectively, before the finals weekend across November 27-29.
England’s Nations Championship fixtures in November
All times UK
- November 8: England vs Australia (3.10pm)
- November 14: England vs Japan (4.40pm)
- November 21: England vs New Zealand (2.10pm)
- November 27-29: Finals weekend (fixtures to be confirmed)