Pumas Land a Coaching Coup: Former France Defence Coach Shaun Edwards Joins, Ledesma Returns
BUENOS AIRES - The Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) announced that Shaun Edwards, the long-serving former France defence coach, has joined the Pumas' coaching staff on a deal running through the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, while former head coach Mario Ledesma returns as forwards coach. The appointments were announced on Friday, October 9, and dominated Argentine and international rugby coverage into Saturday, October 10.
Edwards, 59, is among the most decorated defence coaches in the game: he won four Six Nations titles with Wales and, from 2020, helped France to three Six Nations crowns including the 2022 Grand Slam, leaving after the 2026 championship. England had been a possible destination; instead he chose the southern hemisphere. Edwards said he has always admired the skill and quality of Argentine players and looks forward to contributing his international experience over the coming year.
Head coach Felipe Contepomi said Edwards and Ledesma arrive with enormous international experience, know what competing at the highest level means, and - with the World Cup a year away - will help the team keep growing and prepare in the best possible way. Ledesma coached the Pumas from 2018 to 2022 and now returns as part of the staff.
The pair start work at the end of October, ahead of November Nations Championship matches against Ireland, Italy and France. Argentina, three-time World Cup semi-finalists (2007, 2015 and 2023), will face Fiji, Spain and Canada in their 2027 pool.
Sources: Compiled from the UAR statement via the Associated Press report on NBC Sports, and Sky Sports and BBC Sport coverage carried by NewsATW, October 9-10, 2026.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：肖恩·爱德华兹肖像。摄影：National Assembly for Wales，CC BY 2.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
