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‘Inspirational’ Shaun Wane backed to lead England to glory by Wigan Warriors great

England Rugby League boss Shaun Wane

League legend Shaun Edwards is backing “inspirational” ex-Wigan Warriors team-mates Shaun Wane and Andy Farrell to deliver international success in both codes of rugby.

Edwards played with Wane and Farrell during his trophy-laden playing days with the Lancashire club and all three have prospered as coaches for club and country.

Now, while Edwards is defence coach with France’s national rugby union team, Ireland head coach Farrell has been handed the challenge of overseeing the British Lions’ 2025 tour of Australia while Wane is at the helm of the England league side.

And Edwards is tipping Wane to end England’s long wait for global glory and Farrell to ensure the Lions prosper Down Under – due to their Wigan roots.

“There must be something in the water in Wigan but it’s a small town that punches above its weight with a tradition as a hotbed of rugby talent,” Edwards told Serious About Rugby League.

“Wigan is a real common denominator for lots of people because the place lives and breathes rugby league and the competitive edge the place has got and Wigan’s success on the field speaks volumes. And I was there at Wembley in 2013 when underdogs Wigan (Athletic) overcame the odds to beat mighty Manchester City to win the FA Cup too which says it all about our hometown.

“But on both sides of the rugby divide, people like Shaun and Andy are really kicking on as coaches and there’s no coincidence that they’ve got Wigan roots because winning is in their DNA.”

Shaun Wane won three Super League titles, one World Club Challenge, one Challenge Cup and one League Leaders’ Shield as Wigan Warriors head coach.

And Edwards believes he can lead England to glory in Australia in 2026 and finally end his nation’s long quest for world cup title success.

“England have definitely got the right coach in Shaun Wane because he’s a proven winner at all levels,” Edwards said.

“In high level sports, a lot of the time, games are decided by a point here and there or they’re one-score games and Shaun’s the ideal coach to win those contests.

“You just have to get into habit of just edging those very tight games when the margins are so tight.

“I’ve never been coached by Shaun but I do know he’s a Wigan lad and he’s very competitive. I know him as a person and he’s charismatic. He’s very good on details and a brilliant motivator.

“There’s lots of really talented young players coming through the ranks and he’s the ideal person to unite them all and get past France and the southern hemisphere countries.”

Edwards, 57, is also confident Farrell will make sure the Lions are celebrating when they head to Australia this winter.

“Andy has had an unbelievable career in sport and without a shadow of a doubt he’s one of the very best players I ever had the privilege to call a team-mate,” Edwards added. “For anyone who played with him, it’s no surprise that he’s gone on to do exceptionally well in international rugby union as a coach.

“He became an England international player when he was on Saracens’ books and that’s been a springboard for his success as a coach. Faz is a great example of a winner. He just refuses to give in. He’s super competitive and he’s very confident.

“Plus, he’s got the communication skills and the people skills to be an excellent man-manager too. He’s most certainly, 100 per cent the man for the British Lions job and I’m sure he will do Wigan proud with those Lions.”

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Anonymous

    October 7, 2024 at 2:41 am

    One of the greatest RL players in modern times. But get your facts right mate… something in the water in Wigan, its a small town? Its is one of the largest towns in the UK, population around 350k bigger than a lot of cities. Think before you comment mate.

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