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SportsQuiet 5d · day 5

Shaun Edwards joins England as defence coach, inspired by late mother

Former France coach Edwards takes Red Roses role for autumn campaign after six-and-a-half years abroad.

newest coverage 4d agosummary written 17h ago7 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Shaun Edwards, a seven-time Six Nations winner, has joined England's women's rugby team as defence coach for the autumn campaign after 6.5 years with France.
  • His decision was partly motivated by his late mother Phyllis, who never had the chance to play rugby but encouraged Edwards to pursue rugby union and served as his trusted advisor.
  • The appointment signals the growing stature of the Red Roses programme—drawing a coach of Edwards' pedigree underscores the professionalism and competitiveness of women's rugby.

“Back in the mid-1990s she was the first person to tell me to study rugby union as well as rugby league, because I always wanted to be a coach and I always took notes of what coaches said.”

Shaun Edwards, Defence coach · BBC Sport ↗

Shaun Edwards Defence coach, England Red RosesMarlie Packer England back rowPhyllis Edwards Shaun Edwards' late mother

Shaun Edwards joins England as defence coach, inspired by late mother
BBC Sport

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles

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  1. background

    Packer praises Edwards' calibre and impact on women's game — Packer emphasises Edwards' credentials—he has won more Six Nations titles than some of the players he now coaches—and says his arrival demonstrates the advancement and prestige of the Red Roses programme. She describes him as straightforward and impactful when he speaks.

  2. background

    Marlie Packer credits Edwards' mother as inspiration for his move — England back row Marlie Packer reveals that Edwards was motivated partly by his late mother Phyllis, who worked as a hairdresser in Wigan but was denied the chance to play rugby and would have loved to do so. Phyllis encouraged Edwards to study rugby union in the mid-1990s alongside his league career.

  3. 1
    “He was saying about his mum not ever being able to have the opportunity to play, and that she would have loved to have done so.”
    — Marlie Packer, England back row · source

    1. 3 outlets first by BBC, 4d ago · also Yahoo Sports, BBC Sport · read ↗