Shaun Edwards will join Argentina’s coaching staff ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup after his short stint with England’s Red Roses.
The defence coach is operating in a short-term consultancy role under John Mitchell until the end of the WXV Global Series this month having left his role with France earlier this year.
Edwards had secured his seventh Six Nations success across spells with Les Bleus and Wales before that departure, and will now make his return to men’s Test rugby after agreeing to join Felipe Contepomi’s team of assistants.
Mario Ledesma, head coach of the Pumas between 2018 and 2022, has also bolstered the backroom team as forwards coach ahead of Nations Championship games with Ireland, Italy and France.
“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 deal means that Edwards, one of the world’s most highly-regarded defence coaches, is again off the market until after the tournament.
The former Wigan rugby league star has repeatedly expressed a desire to coach England’s men during his career, though is yet to do so.
Edwards and the rest of the Red Roses squad and staff have arrived in North America to prepare for two Tests against Canada and a fixture against the United States in the next three weeks. His deal is due to expire after those games, with Mitchell’s side not in action again until the Women’s Six Nations in April.
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