Steve Tandy has been officially appointed as the head coach of the Welsh national rugby team, marking a significant turning point for Wales as they seek to rebuild following a challenging period. The announcement came from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on Monday, July 21, 2025, confirming that Tandy will take over the reins from interim coach Matt Sherratt, starting September 1, 2025.
Tandy’s appointment is seen as a keystone moment in Welsh rugby’s five-year strategic plan aimed at restoring sustainable success to the senior men’s side. The former Scotland defence coach and British and Irish Lions assistant coach inherits a team that recently hit a record low, slipping to 14th in the world rankings before breaking an 18-game losing streak with a 31-22 victory over Japan earlier this month. This win ended a 644-day drought dating back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Welsh Rugby CEO Abi Tierney praised the rigorous selection process, stating, "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." The WRU’s confidence in Tandy underscores the importance of his role in revitalizing Welsh rugby.
Tandy brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He joined Scotland's coaching staff ahead of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, where he played an instrumental role in transforming Scotland into one of the best defensive teams in the world. His defensive expertise was recognized at the highest level when he was selected to join the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Prior to his international coaching career, Tandy achieved success at club level, winning the PRO12 title in 2012 with the Ospreys and also coaching the Waratahs.
Upon his departure from Scottish Rugby, Tandy expressed mixed emotions, saying, "I have loved my time with the Scotland national team and it is a really tough decision to leave. I have built up a great relationship with the players and management within the national team and I am proud of the progress achieved since I joined. Not only have I loved my time in Scotland, but also the way everyone welcomed my family and made them feel at home has been amazing and will be something I’ll never forget. The chance to manage the Welsh national team was an opportunity I was unable to turn down, but I leave with a heavy heart and would like to thank everyone I have worked with at Scottish Rugby who have made my time here so memorable."
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend reflected on Tandy’s departure: "We’re sorry to see Steve go because he’s had a really positive influence on Scottish Rugby. Firstly, with the players that he’s worked with and developed, and secondly the work he’s done with the team, turning them into one of the best defensive sides in the world. As coaches we have loved working and learning from him. He has helped me massively in my role and he’s been someone I’ve leaned on for advice. We’ve worked together on various ways of improving the environment and the team over the years. It’ll be sad not having him with us anymore but it’s also a massive honour for him to become the head coach of his home country. It’s very deserved as he’s an excellent coach with varied experiences including international rugby for the last five years and we wish him all the best."
Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Alex Williamson also commented, "Steve is an extremely popular and talented coach and so we have really mixed emotions. We are disappointed that he is leaving the national team coaching set-up given his invaluable contribution since 2020, but we are also very proud of his achievements and the opportunity he now has to lead the country of his birth. At Scottish Rugby we aim to have the best coaches in the world and Steve is certainly one of them. We have worked closely with Abi Tierney and her team at the Welsh Rugby Union to allow Steve to join them and recruitment for a suitable replacement is under way. We hope to have someone in place ahead of the Quilter Nations Series in November and look forward to seeing Steve in Cardiff during the Guinness Six Nations."
Tandy’s first major challenge as Wales head coach will be the Quilter Nations Series in November 2025, where Wales face a daunting schedule against some of the world’s top rugby nations, including New Zealand, the reigning world champions South Africa, Argentina, and Japan. These autumn fixtures are seen as a crucial opportunity for Wales to test their progress and begin climbing back up the international rankings.
Reflecting on his new role and the task ahead, Tandy said, "Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege. 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."
Wales have been without a permanent head coach since Warren Gatland’s departure during the 2025 Six Nations, a period marked by their record-setting decline and longest losing streak in modern history. Interim coach Matt Sherratt helped Wales end their infamous 18-game losing streak with the recent win over Japan but had made clear he was not interested in the permanent role.
As Tandy prepares to take charge, the Welsh rugby community is hopeful that his defensive acumen, international experience, and passion for his home nation will spark a revival. The road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia is long, but with Tandy at the helm, Wales aims to reclaim their place among rugby’s elite.
With recruitment underway to fill Tandy’s previous role in Scotland and the upcoming series of high-profile international matches, the rugby world will be watching closely to see how this new chapter unfolds for Wales. The challenge is immense, but so too is the opportunity to restore pride and performance to a proud rugby nation.
