Defence coach Shaun Edwards says England head coach Steve Borthwick turned down his offer to join the national staff. Edwards, 60, left France after six years as an assistant to Fabien Galthié, during which the team won back-to-back Six Nations titles. Calls for Borthwick to hire him grew after England won only one game for the first time since 1987. "He said he was happy with his staff and the way things have been going, and I respected him for that," Edwards told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast. Edwards has since joined Argentina's men as defence coach until the end of next year's Rugby World Cup. He said he can help improve the team's discipline, noting it gave away many penalties at rucks. Argentina face Ireland in Dublin on Friday.

RFU renews with long-term partners Gilbert and Rhino. Gilbert's RFU partnership goes back more than 25 years, while Rhino's relationship stretches to over 50 years. England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) governing body has extended its long-standing partnerships with rugby equipment brands Gilbert and Rhino. Gilbert, an official supplier to England's national teams and a prominent brand in the sport, will continue to supply match balls, training equipment, and RFU match official clothing under a new agreement. The renewal marks more than 25 years of official partnership between the two parties. Claudio Borges, RFU's executive director of commercial and marketing, said: "Gilbert is a truly famous rugby brand and is engrained in its sport. Having a close relationship between the RFU and Gilbert just makes sense. "Our partnership goes back over 25 years, and we are excited that we will continue working together for the foreseeable future." Meanwhile, the renewed agreement with Rhino will see the brand continue as the official supplier of scrum machines to England Rugby. Rhino will provide scrum machines and selected equipment to both the England men's and women's teams. The extension will see the relationship between the RFU and Rhino stretch to over 50 years. Dave Reynish, managing director of Rhino, said: "Rhino and England Rugby is one of the sport's most enduring partnerships. England players and coaches have always played a vital role in developing our equipment." Gilbert also has a long-term association with the World Rugby governing body, which was extended last December until 2033. Under that agreement, the brand remains the official ball supplier for all World Rugby 15s competitions and Rugby World Cups. Gilbert, which is nearly 200 years old, has a long-standing presence in rugby and served as the ball supplier for the British & Irish Lions' tour to Australia last year. Rhino is also a prominent sponsor in the sport and has partnerships with the likes of the South African Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union, and the Rugby Europe and Asia Rugby continental bodies. In terms of recent commercial activity for the RFU, the organization announced a landmark principal partnership agreement with UK bank Lloyds last month, making it the first official back-of-shirt sponsor for the men's and women's senior teams. Earlier this year, the national body also renewed its deal with UK-based premium menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt and brought in French IT firm Capgemini as its official digital transformation partner. Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights.

Gilbert and the RFU: 25 years and counting. From grassroots pitches on a frosty Sunday morning to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on a sold-out international weekend, one thing has stayed the same for a quarter of a century. The ball in English rugby has been a Gilbert. Today Gilbert Rugby is proud to confirm that its England Rugby partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) will continue under a new long-term agreement. It means Gilbert remains one of the RFU's longest-serving suppliers, passing more than 25 years alongside the English game. And Gilbert Rugby is not done yet. 1. A new chapter in its England Rugby partnership. The renewal keeps Gilbert at the heart of the RFU's commercial family as its authentically rugby partner. Under the new agreement, Gilbert Rugby will continue to supply equipment, balls and RFU match official clothing. That covers the ball in play, the kit in the hands of coaches, and the clothing worn by the officials who keep the game moving. It is a partnership that touches almost every part of a matchday, and one Gilbert Rugby take seriously. 2. More than 25 years alongside English rugby. Gilbert has been making rugby balls for more than 200 years, starting out in the town that gave the game its name. Over that time, generations of players have relied on the quality and precision of a Gilbert ball throughout their careers, from their first touch at mini rugby to the biggest stages in the sport. Its relationship with the RFU has been a big part of that story. For more than 25 years, the two have grown together, through new competitions, new generations of players and a game that continues to grow in England and around the world. What has never changed is the goal. Gilbert Rugby want to inspire the rugby community through market-leading products, partnerships and content, and to be there at every level of the game. 3. What the partnership means. For both sides, renewing was a simple decision. "Gilbert is a truly famous rugby brand and is engrained in our sport. Having a close relationship between the RFU and Gilbert just makes sense," said Claudio Borges, RFU's Executive Director of Commercial and Marketing. "Our partnership goes back over 25 years, and we are excited that we will continue working together for the foreseeable future." Richard Gray, Gilbert CEO said: "Gilbert Rugby is extremely excited to continue its long-spanning relationship with the RFU. This partnership has gone from strength to strength over the past 25 years, and Gilbert Rugby is confident that this will continue over the coming years. "Rugby continues to grow and we are incredibly proud to be playing our part." 4. From Allianz to your local club. The Gilbert brand is synonymous with rugby, from the international stage to the heartbeat of the game at grassroots level. That is exactly where this partnership lives. Whether you are kicking off a new season with your club, practising passes in the back garden or showing your support from the stands, there is a Gilbert ball made for you. Explore the full England Rugby collection, from supporter and replica balls to training kit and headguards. £8.99 - £31.99 Not sure which ball is right for you? Its Rugby Ball Buyer's Guide breaks it down by size, age and level of play. 5. Here's to the next chapter. Twenty-five years is a milestone worth celebrating, but it is the next chapter that excites Gilbert Rugby most. Gilbert Rugby will keep doing what Gilbert Rugby has always done: making the ball at the centre of the game, and backing English rugby at every level. Here's to the next 25 years. To celebrate this announcement Gilbert Rugby is giving 15% OFF England collection and England Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 product for one week. Use code: RFUGILBERT