Shaun Edwards was the headline appointment as Fabien Galthie announced his new-look coaching team to take France into the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and beyond.
Les Bleus were knocked out of the World Cup by Edwards’ Wales side in last month’s quarter-final in Oita.
Galthie has since taken over the top job from Jacques Brunel and his first order of business was to unveil his staff that includes Edwards as defence coach.
The former rugby league international with Great Britain has been a key cog in Wales’ three Grand Slams and four Championships and is itching to get to work with Les Bleus.
“I’m happy to join the France adventure alongside Fabien and Raphael,” said Edwards.
“My goal is to maximize the speed of defence play. This method has already been successful in the past. ”
Also unveiled was new team manager Raphael Ibanez, who was coached by Edwards at Wasps and attack coach Laurent Labit.
Labit has led both Castres and Racing 92 to Top 14 titles and will be joined in the backroom staff by William Servat, Karim Ghezal, Thibault Giroud and Nicolas Buffa.
Galthie and his team are charged with leading France through the next four years to the next World Cup which will be held on home soil in 2023.
They kick off the new era next year on February 2 with Le Crunch against England in Paris.
“The endgame is to become again a major nation in world rugby, to win matches and win titles so we can be in the top three in the world,” said Galthie.
