Steve Tandy Takes Charge: A New Chapter for Welsh Rugby
The new Wales coach, Steve Tandy, has expressed his ambition to restore national pride, following a period of decline in the world rankings. Tandy, born in Tonmawr and a former player and coach of the Ospreys, returns to Wales after six years as Scotland’s defense coach.
Tandy becomes the first Welshman to manage the national team since 2007. This comes at a time when Wales has dropped to 12th in the world rankings and had accumulated 17 consecutive defeats before beating Japan last month, in the last match of Matt Sherratt’s interim period.
The privilege and honor of being the coach of your country is enormous. I feel great pride as part of a great family and of what is a great rugby nation.
Steve Tandy
Wales, who reached the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup under the direction of Warren Gatland, and managed to win the 2021 Six Nations with Wayne Pivac, seeks to regain its best level.The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has set the goal of Wales being among the top five in the world by 2029.
Tandy expressed his confidence in Welsh talent to achieve the goals, although he acknowledges that it will not be a quick fix. He emphasized the importance of building performance gradually, campaign after campaign, and of harnessing the team’s potential.
Tandy, who won the Pro12 competition during his six years at the Ospreys, worked for the New South Wales Waratahs in Australia before moving to Scotland. In addition, Gatland selected him as defense coach for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021.
Andy Farrell, in his bid to return as coach of the British and Irish Lions.
Tandy takes up his post on September 1st and will prepare for the autumn home matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. He will work with Dave Reddin, WRU’s performance director, to form his technical team, following the departure of Gethin Jenkins (defense), Danny Wilson (forwards), Adam Jones (scrum), Rhys Thomas (assistant forwards coach) and Leigh Halfpenny (kicking), who assisted Sherratt in Japan.
