After confirmation of Tuesday night that Shaun Edwards has been added to the coaching team for this season, here’s all you need to know about his trophy-laden career in league and union.
About Shaun
Born in Wigan in 1966, he seemed destined from a young age to enjoy a long and successful career in the sport, captaining England Schoolboys at both rugby league, and rugby union (the only schoolboy to achieve this feat).
He played for Wigan in the RL Championship and Super League between 1983 and 1997, and also had spells with Balmain Tigers, London Broncos and Bradford Bulls. Playing for Wigan, Edwards won a record eight championships and a record nine Challenge Cups. In total he played in eleven Challenge Cup finals, also a record. He was voted Man of Steel in 1990 and is an inductee of the Wigan Hall of Fame.
Edwards played 36 times for Great Britain, and played for England in 1995 and 1996 and Ireland in 1998. In all, he appeared in three Rugby League World Cups.
After switching to Union, he was previously assistant coach and head coach at London Wasps, when the club won two Heineken Cups and four Premiership titles, leaving in November 2011 to focus on his role with Wales, having been appointed assistant coach of the Welsh National team in 2008.
He was defence coach for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa in 2009.
This month he has confirmed that he will leave Wales next year after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan to return to Wigan as head coach.
Coaching Awards
Wales Rugby Union – Defence Coach (2008-present)
3 RBS Six Nations Titles (including 2 Grand Slams) (2008, 2012,2013)
Wasps Rugby Club – Head Coach (2002-2011)
2 European Championship Titles (2004, 2007)
4 English Championship Titles (2003,2004,2005,2008)
1 Anglo Welsh Trophy Title (2006)
1 Amlin Cup Title (2003)
Player Awards
Shaun is the most decorated RL player in the history of British Rugby League.
3 World Club Championship Titles (1987, 1991, 1994)
8 Rugby Football League Championship Titles (1986/87, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96)
9 Challenge Cup Titles (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
5 Lancashire Cup Titles (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992)
7 Regal Trophy Titles (1986, 1987,1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996)
Individual Awards
Man of Steel: 1990
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE Awarded by HRH Queen
Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame 2008 International Coach of the Year (Rugby World Magazine) 2008
