Wales Appoint Steve Tandy Head Coach After 18-Match Losing Streak

Steve Tandy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Welsh men's rugby union team, taking over from Warren Gatland and starting on September 1. Tandy, 45, who has been Scotland's defence coach since 2019 and previously coached the Ospreys and Australian Waratahs, inherits a team recovering from a record 18-match losing streak and a significant drop in world rankings. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) sees Tandy as a stabilizing figure with strong ties to Welsh rugby, aiming to rebuild the team ahead of the 2027 World Cup and restore competitiveness among the top nations. The WRU is also undergoing structural changes, including potentially reducing the number of professional club sides from four to two, adding challenges for Tandy as he navigates team selection and development. WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin emphasized Tandy's commitment and ability to challenge himself as a coach, expressing confidence that Wales can become a consistent top-five team capable of competing for Six Nations titles. Tandy's first matches in charge will be the autumn internationals against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.