AFTER an extensive five-month search, the Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed Steve Tandy as the new head coach of the Wales national team, marking a pivotal moment for Welsh rugby.
Tandy, who has been serving as Scotland’s defence coach and previously led the Ospreys, will assume the role in September. His appointment follows Warren Gatland’s departure midway through this year’s Six Nations, prompting Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt to take interim charge for the summer tour, which ended Wales’ 18-match losing streak with a morale-boosting victory over Japan in Kobe.
Now, the 45-year-old steps into his first senior head coaching role at international level, tasked with steering Wales through a demanding autumn campaign that includes fixtures against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
“Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,” said Tandy.
“I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world.
I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have.
The autumn fixtures represent a huge opportunity and give us a chance to test ourselves against some of the best teams in world rugby.”
Tandy brings with him a strong pedigree, having also served on the British and Irish Lions coaching staff during their 2021 tour of South Africa. Most recently, he worked with Scotland through their summer clashes with the New Zealand Māori, Fiji and Samoa.
He is understood to have signed a long-term contract that extends beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup — an indication that the WRU sees his appointment as part of a wider strategy to rebuild Welsh rugby from the ground up.
WRU CEO Abi Tierney said:
“We are delighted to appoint Steve as the new Wales head coach. After a thorough and detailed appointment process, Steve emerged as the standout candidate, and we know we have secured the very best coach for the job.
This is a keystone appointment for us and an integral part of our five-year strategy as we look to achieve sustainable success for our senior men’s side.
Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman.
Our task now is to ensure Steve has the support and resources he needs to succeed in this role.”
No assistant coaches have been officially announced, but it’s expected that several members of the coaching team who toured Japan — including Sherratt, Danny Wilson, T. Rhys Thomas, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Leigh Halfpenny — will form part of Tandy’s backroom staff.
Tandy’s coaching career began with the Ospreys in 2012 following a playing spell in which he made over 100 appearances for the region. In his debut season as head coach, he led the Ospreys to the Pro12 title with a memorable win over Leinster in Dublin.
He parted ways with the region in 2018 and spent time with the Waratahs in Australia before joining Gregor Townsend’s coaching team in Scotland.
Dave Reddin, the WRU’s newly appointed director of rugby and elite performance — and the man behind Tandy’s appointment — believes the former flanker is integral to the union’s future plans.
“Steve’s coaching journey and the approach he has taken to his own learning and development since leaving the Ospreys really impressed us during the interview process,” said Reddin.
“He embodies the collaborative and systematic approach to building success that I want to instil across our high-performance system.
Steve is an excellent coach with the motivation and curiosity to continue to learn and develop — very much a part of his DNA. These are hugely important characteristics for everyone in our system.
He brings a wealth of experience, a unique understanding of Wales and the young talent we have at our disposal, and a huge amount of passion and desire to excel in the role.
Steve is a vital part of the future strategy for success in Welsh rugby and I will ensure he has the space, time and support to realise the potential of the exciting group of players he will have at his disposal.”
As Welsh rugby looks to recover from a period of instability, Tandy’s appointment marks a significant step towards stability and long-term ambition — one that WRU officials, players and supporters alike will hope can reignite Wales’ fortunes on the global stage.
