Edwards: Borthwick rejected my offer

Defence coach Shaun Edwards said that England head coach Steve Borthwick had turned down his offer to work with the team at the 2027 World Cup.

Speaking on the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Edwards said he had a good phone conversation with Borthwick. He said he was ready to be appointed even as an equipment manager if necessary. Edwards added that Borthwick honestly told him he was happy with his squad and the direction of things, and that he thanked him for it.

Edwards completed his six-year spell in France earlier this year. During that time, France won three Six Nations titles, and were champions in both 2025 and 2026. The 60-year-old coach also worked briefly with the England women's national team. He is now with Argentina's squad and will serve until the end of next year's World Cup.

Edwards was Wales' defence coach from 2008 to 2019, a period in which the team won three Six Nations titles. At club level, he won two Champions Cups and four domestic titles with Wasps, first as defence coach and then as head coach. Richard Wigglesworth is currently in charge of England's defence. Byron McGuigan, Joe El-Abd and Kevin Sinfield are also part of Borthwick's coaching staff.

England will face Australia at Twickenham on Sunday in the Six Nations. They will then play Japan and New Zealand at the same stadium on 14 and 21 November respectively. The final weekend of the window will be played from 27 to 29 November.