Rugby head coach Tandy expresses confidence in Wales' potential for a comeback
Wayne Tandy Appointed as New Head Coach of Wales National Rugby Team
After a six-year hiatus, Wales-born coach Wayne Tandy has returned to his homeland to take the helm of the Welsh national rugby team. Tandy's appointment, announced in July 2025, marks the first time a Welsh-born coach has led the team since 2007.
Tandy's coaching journey began with the Scottish national team, where he served as defense coach during the British and Irish Lions' 2021 tour of South Africa. Prior to that, he left the Welsh region Ospreys in 2018 after winning the Pro12 competition.
Wayne Pivac, who coached the team from 2019 to 2022, saw mixed results during his tenure. Notable achievements include winning the 2021 Six Nations Championship (but missing the Grand Slam narrowly), a historic first win in South Africa in 2022, and the 2021 Six Nations title, which was Wales' fourth in a decade. However, the team also struggled, finishing fifth in the 2020 and 2022 Six Nations and suffering a rare home loss to Italy in 2022.
Tandy's appointment comes as the Welsh Rugby Union aims to see Wales in the top five in the world by 2029. As the new head coach, Tandy will prepare for autumn home games against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. His tenure begins on September 1, following Matt Sherratt's interim reign, which ended with Wales' victory over Japan last month.
The appointment of Tandy is a significant step towards revitalising Wales' international competitiveness and improving their world rankings. Specific details on Tandy’s coaching philosophy, targets for raising Wales in world rugby rankings, or immediate strategic changes have not yet been published.
Wayne Pivac's reign as coach of Wales' national team quickly unravelled, with the team slipping to 12th in the world rankings and losing 17 successive matches before beating Japan last month. Tandy's return to Wales is a fresh start for the team, and fans are eagerly awaiting the new era under the guidance of their home-grown coach.
Timeline:
- 2018: Announcement that Wayne Pivac would succeed Warren Gatland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
- 2019–2022: Pivac's coaching period, starting with a non-test match in November 2019 and continuing through 2022.
- 2025 (July): Steve Tandy appointed as Wales head coach.
Achievements under Pivac:
- Wins include the 2021 Six Nations Championship title (fourth in a decade).
- Historic first-ever win on South African soil in 2022.
- Mixed overall Six Nations results with fifth-place finishes in 2020 and 2022.
- Endured the first home loss to Italy ever in 2022.
References:
[1] BBC Sport. (2025). Wayne Tandy appointed as Wales head coach. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56019969
The appointment of Wayne Tandy as the head coach of the Wales national rugby team in July 2025 marks a new era for Welsh rugby, serving as a fresh start after the tumultuous tenure of his predecessor, Wayne Pivac. During Pivac's reign, the team struggled, slipping to 12th in the world rankings and losing 17 consecutive matches before claiming victory over Japan, setting the stage for Tandy's return to inspire improvements in Welsh sports, perhaps even in football.
