The Welsh Rugby Union has announced that Steve Tandy will begin his tenure as Wales’ head coach from September and will lead them into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Tandy is a former British and Irish Lions coach (2021) and was Ospreys head coach for a six-year period before joining Australian Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs. He has just finished a southern hemisphere tour against New Zealand Maori, Fiji and Samoa as an integral part of Scottish Rugby’s coaching team. The 45-year-old, who was born in Tonmawr, boasts a varied and impressive coaching career which has led the Welsh Rugby Union to view him as the man to help bring in a new era for the game in Wales.
The nation recently broke an 18-match losing streak with a win over Japan in Kobe.
“Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,” said Tandy on Monday.
“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 gives us a chance to test ourselves against some of the best teams in world rugby.”
The former flanker made over 100 appearances for the Ospreys before converting to coaching full-time and graduated to head coach of the regional club between 2012 and 2018. In his opening season with the Ospreys Tandy lifted the Pro 12 (now URC) title when his side beat then reigning European Champions Leinster by a point (30-31) in the final in Dublin.
During his time coaching in Wales, he would take the Ospreys to a further two semi-finals of the same competition, losing out to Munster on both occasions.
“We are delighted to appoint Steve as the new Wales head coach,” said WRU CEO Abi Tierney.
“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.”
