When the celebrations had ended in Paris, Shaun Edwards made his way back to his home in the south of France, ready to unwind and reflect.
His latest Six Nations victory added to his already impressive collection of rugby titles.
But, true to his humble nature, Edwards celebrated in his own unique way—by singing along to one of his favorite songs from The Drifters, “Saturday Night at the Movies.”
A Low-Key Celebration with a Touch of Humor
Edwards, now residing in Canet Plage near Perpignan, enjoys a life that’s in stark contrast to the high-profile moments on the rugby field.
After the big win, Edwards didn’t waste time basking in glory but instead joined locals by the beach, enjoying a few beers and serenading them with his singing.
He laughs about the compliments he received, especially as they were aimed at his singing rather than his exceptional rugby coaching.
“After the match, I had a few drinks at the bar by the beach and ended up buying drinks for everyone—if they let me sing, that is,” he told Mail Sport, chuckling.
“I was singing ‘Saturday Night at the Movies,’ as I always do.
The team said I was a good singer, and I was like, ‘Are you sure?’”
Despite the light-hearted moment, Edwards is more accustomed to receiving praise for his formidable defensive coaching rather than his vocal skills.
Capturing the Magic of Victory
In between celebrating with friends and family, Edwards also took time to soak in the atmosphere of France’s latest rugby triumph.
He captured the unforgettable scenes at the Stade de France with his phone, knowing full well how rare and special such moments are.
“It’s amazing, and it inspires you,” he said about the stadium’s light shows and the victory celebration.
“It’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
That’s why I took my phone with me on the pitch to get some great pictures.
I also brought my daughters out there—what a special moment.”
But despite the celebrations, Edwards didn’t go overboard.
The post-match party ended with him and his coaching team having just one drink together before calling it a night.
“We had a drink, but I went to bed at 3:30 am,” he admits, not one to indulge too much in the festivities.
A Man Who Remains Focused on the Bigger Picture
Edwards’ home tells a lot about him—modest, unpretentious, and focused.
He doesn’t flaunt his achievements around the house; rather, his trophies and medals are tucked away in a drawer.
A plaque marking his Grand Slam achievement in 2022 is shoved into a corner, half-hidden.
“I’ve got my medals in a drawer,” Edwards reveals.
“Pictures? I have a few up, but they’re more for sentimental reasons than to display my sporting success. I don’t make a big deal out of things.”
For Edwards, it’s not about the accolades; it’s about the work and the results.
And when asked how many titles he has won, he’s quick to count: “If you include Triple Crowns and European Challenge Cups, it’s 55.
If not, it’s 50. And six Six Nations titles—no one else has done that.”
Never Tiring of Success
Despite the many wins, Edwards insists that he never tires of the pursuit of more.
“I don’t ever get sick of winning,” he says, laughing at the suggestion that titles could become mundane.
“It baffles me when people question the tactics in rugby. Did you win? Yes? Then what’s the problem?”
The thrill of victory was clear when France defeated Ireland 42-27 in Dublin—a match Edwards describes as the culmination of a year’s worth of preparation and a chance for redemption after their loss to Ireland in 2024.
“We went into that game with the embarrassment of losing at home,” Edwards explains.
“And when you’ve got strong players like Alldritt, Cros, and Atonio, you know the emotion will come from them. My job is to focus on the tactical side.”
The Viral Moment of a Stony-Faced Coach
The most memorable moment from France’s victory came when Edwards was captured on camera looking far from elated.
While the French team celebrated their brilliant performance, Edwards appeared stone-faced, much to the amusement of viewers on social media.
He laughs at the viral footage, admitting that he didn’t even see it.
“I haven’t seen that video,” he says. “But I know what I was thinking. We hadn’t won anything yet.
The big game was against Scotland the following week, and I wanted to focus on that.”
Edwards acknowledges that French rugby culture is different from his own, especially when it comes to post-match celebrations.
“In France, they do a lap of honor after every match—win or lose. I couldn’t get my head around it at first.
I was like, ‘What are we walking around for? We haven’t won anything yet.’ But I’ve gotten used to it.”
Keeping the Players Focused and Motivated
One of Edwards’ greatest strengths as a coach is his ability to motivate his players.
He manages to inspire even the most talented attacking players, like Antoine Dupont, to focus on defence.
Edwards takes great pride in giving Dupont the “champagne prize” for his defensive work.
“I bought Antoine a bottle of champagne after the last match,” Edwards shares with a smile.
“But for some reason, we didn’t bump into each other, so I drank it myself! I’ll buy him another one.
He loves winning that prize.”
The Future: Lions and Beyond
Looking ahead, Edwards is focused on the upcoming challenges with the French team, especially with the All Blacks tour in New Zealand.
Despite calls for him to join the British and Irish Lions coaching staff, Edwards’ commitment to France remains unwavering.
“I had no idea that the Lions tour and our tour to New Zealand were at the same time,” he says.
“My priority is with the French team, and I’m focused on helping these young players adapt to international rugby. It’s the ultimate challenge.”
Edwards admits that one of the biggest regrets of his career is not winning a Lions series, but he remains optimistic about the future, including a potential World Cup victory with France in 2027.
“As long as they stay hungry and motivated, I think we’ll have a chance.”
A Career Full of Triumphs Yet Focused on the Future
Although he has a CV brimming with titles, Edwards isn’t one to rest on his laurels.
His future in coaching remains open, and whether he’s an assistant coach or head coach, he’s confident in his ability to lead.
The Welsh Rugby Union is currently on the hunt for a new head coach, and Edwards is flattered by the speculation, though he remains focused on his work with France.
“I’ve proved myself as a head coach before,” he says. “But as long as I’m in a job where I’m motivated and working with motivated players, I’m happy to be either an assistant coach or head coach.”
As his career continues to evolve, Edwards’ blend of humility, passion, and tactical brilliance promises even more victories—and perhaps more opportunities to perform his beloved “Saturday Night at the Movies” for a new audience.