With reports in France suggesting Shaun Edwards is on the verge of leaving his role with Les Bleus, Welsh rugby fans may once again find themselves wondering what might have been.
The former Wales defence guru is reportedly set to be replaced by Gérald Bastide as part of a coaching shake-up under Fabien Galthié, despite being under contract until 2028.
If Edwards does become available, he will instantly be one of the most sought-after coaches in world rugby. But for many in Wales, the news also serves as a reminder of the circumstances that led to one of the most controversial coaching departures in recent memory.
Because while Edwards left Wales in 2019, there was a period when it appeared almost certain he would stay.
How Wales almost kept Shaun Edwards
After helping Wales win four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams during an extraordinary 12-year spell under Warren Gatland, Edwards initially looked destined to leave international rugby and return to rugby league with Wigan Warriors following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
However, when that move collapsed, Edwards suddenly found himself back on the market.
The timing was significant. Win free tickets to watch Fiji v Wales in Cardiff this summer.
Wayne Pivac was preparing to take over from Gatland as Wales head coach and there was widespread support among supporters for Edwards to remain part of the set-up.
Pivac later revealed Edwards was one of the first people he spoke to when assembling his coaching team.
“Shaun was the first person I spoke with,” said Pivac at the time.
“He indicated early on he was under pressure from Wigan and that the timeline imposed on us was unrealistic.
“Shaun signed with Wigan and that put paid to the discussions going any further.”
By then, Pivac had moved on and appointed Byron Hayward as his defence coach.
WRU chief left the door open
The story did not end there.
When Edwards became available again, then-WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips publicly suggested the union remained interested in keeping him involved.
Phillips admitted the WRU would “always want to have a conversation” with Edwards if the opportunity arose.
Further talks took place and there was genuine optimism that a deal could be reached.
For a period, the expectation was that Edwards would remain involved with Wales, potentially working alongside Hayward within Pivac’s coaching team.
The contract issue that changed everything
Ultimately, however, negotiations broke down over contract terms.
Edwards wanted a four-year deal that would take him through to the next Rugby World Cup.
The WRU had introduced two-year break clauses into the contracts of Pivac and the rest of his coaching staff and were unwilling to make an exception.
The union insisted Edwards could only be offered the same terms as everyone else.
For a coach whose reputation had never been higher following Wales’ Grand Slam success and run to the World Cup semi-finals, it was not an offer he was prepared to accept.
France stepped in and offered him the security he wanted.
The public spat with Wayne Pivac
The situation became even more uncomfortable when Pivac appeared to suggest Edwards’ decision had been influenced by money.
“We had some talks with Shaun and they were productive, but we did not quite get it over the line,” said Pivac.
“It is an individual choice and probably a financial one.”
The comments sparked a furious response from Edwards.
In a rare public intervention, he issued a statement to WalesOnline insisting the suggestion was unfair.
“I am disappointed with Wayne Pivac’s comments – he has no idea what my salary is in France,” Edwards said.
“The Wales team is on the greatest run in the history of Welsh rugby with 14 international victories in a row.
“We have recently won the Grand Slam and a fourth Six Nations title under our head coach Warren Gatland.
“I have been a part of them and have given Wales 12 years of loyal service, enjoying my time here immensely and having a great rapport with the Welsh public, who I love.
“There’s a lot to be excited about with the World Cup around the corner.
“I suggest we just do our own jobs and concentrate on the World Cup.”
What happened next
With Edwards gone, Wales moved forward under Pivac and Hayward.
But Hayward’s reign lasted just six Test matches before he departed, while Wales endured a difficult first year under the new coaching regime.
Meanwhile, Edwards’ reputation only continued to grow.
His defensive systems became a cornerstone of France’s revival, helping Les Bleus win multiple Six Nations titles and establish themselves among the elite teams in world rugby.
Now, six years after leaving Wales, Edwards finds himself at another career crossroads.
Earlier this year, the 59-year-old admitted he would love to coach in the southern hemisphere and target one of the few major honours missing from his glittering CV.
“I have an ambition to win a Rugby Championship, to be honest,” he said.
“I would love to be involved with the All Blacks or Springboks or Argentina maybe.”
Whether that proves to be his next move remains to be seen.
But with reports suggesting his time in France could be ending unexpectedly, the story of how Wales allowed one of their greatest coaching assets to walk away is once again firmly back in the spotlight.