Steve Tandy turned up at his rugby club to watch the Lions and the reaction said it all
The new Wales boss has not forgotten his roots
Wales head coach Steve Tandy
(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.)
There are very few positions that are as high profile in Welsh society as the head coach of the national men's rugby team.
It is a role which comes with huge pressures as previous incumbents Warren Gatland and Wayne Pivac can testify to but for Steve Tandy it is that little bit more special. Tandy is the first Welshman to take charge of Wales on a permanent basis since Gareth Jenkins in 2007 and you can read his first interview here.
Few would have predicted such an impressive ascent to the top of Welsh rugby after he was forced to leave the Ospreys midway through the 2017/18 season.
But in his own words Tandy has reflected and thrown himself into unique experiences to reach the summit as a coach and is highly regarded by some of the world's best players.
Tandy relocated to Sydney to take charge of defence at the Waratahs before becoming an integral part of Gregor Townsend's backroom team with Scotland, and even coaching the British & Irish Lions on their 2021 tour of South Africa.
But Tonmawr RFC is where it all started for Tandy and is a club he owes a great deal to. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
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Straight after returning from Scotland's tour of New Zealand and Fiji, Tandy paid a visit to his old stomping ground.
"I went up to the rugby club to watch the third Test in the morning with my brother and loads of my mates, it was awesome," he said.
"I remember my first coach there and when I think back he gave me the motivation, the energy to play the game and to find your heart as a kid.
"His sons were there at the club as well, so it was a real great moment, but it doesn't last long when you're from a village like Tonmawr.
"They ripped into me and stuff and they're all massively proud, but then it's back to making fun and being at the rugby club.
"I am an emotional person in lots of ways. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"There's probably more emotion of telling someone when I was leaving, but then when you go back, I probably know that the emotions are not going to last a lot because you'll be absolutely returning to it.
"The bigger the opportunity you get I think you realise what everyone else has put into supporting you.
"My wife and my girls have moved around the world and supported me."
Despite all the highs and the lows which come with coaching Wales, Tonmawr RFC is a place which keeps Tandy honest.
When coaching Wales he is not only representing the nation but Tonmawr RFC in the same way many players have attachment to their local club.
"I think when you get to this kind of job, you realise all the support and help, and it's a massive pride to represent the village," he added.
"They have always been there through thick and thin, they have always got your back. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
"It's amazing."
Tandy's journey from the grassroots of Tonmawr RFC to the helm of Welsh rugby embodies the heart and soul of the sport in Wales.
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His story is a powerful reminder that even at the highest level, it is the community, passion and unwavering support from one's roots that truly shape a leader.
As Tandy leads the national team forward, he carries not just the hopes of a nation but the pride of a village that has stood by him every step of the way—proving that in Welsh rugby, no matter how far you rise, you never forget where you came from.
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