England’s Marlie Packer revealed that defence coach Shaun Edwards’ unexpected move to join the Red Roses was partly driven by his late mother, Phyllis, whose own rugby aspirations went unfulfilled.
Edwards has joined the world champions for the remainder of their autumn campaign, marking the end of a six-and-a-half-year stint with France.
Packer shared that Edwards recounted a personal story about his mother, saying, “He told us why he wanted to be here, explaining how his mum never had the opportunity to play, but she would have loved to have done so.”
“It was really touching to hear that she thought we were amazing,” Packer added.
Phyllis Edwards worked as a hairdresser in Wigan and was a trusted advisor throughout her son’s career. She also cared for Edwards’ father, Jackie, whose rugby league career with Warrington was ended by a spinal injury at age 24.
She passed away in March 2021.
Edwards recalled that in the mid-1990s, his mother was the first to encourage him to study rugby union alongside rugby league, knowing his ambition to become a coach. “When rugby union turned professional in 1995, I was captain of world-champion Wigan, but she always told me to learn about rugby union,” he said.
Edwards’ commitment paid off, with domestic and European titles at Wasps and seven Six Nations crowns across his time with Wales and France.
Packer, who has won 10 Grand Slams since her 2008 debut, joked, “He’s got more Six Nations than quite a few of the girls!”
She emphasized that having a coach of Edwards’ caliber join the Red Roses underscores the growth of the women’s game and the team’s achievements, calling it “amazing for the whole programme.”
Packer described Edwards as straightforward: “He doesn’t say too much, but when he does, you hear it.”
