Steve Tandy appointed new Wales rugby head coach
When Gatland left during the Six Nations he was replaced on a temporary basis by Cardiff's Matt Sherratt, who also took charge of Wales' recent tour to Japan, where they finally ended their dismal run of 18 consecutive defeats.
Tandy, 45, was not an international player but was a rugged flanker for Bridgend, Neath and Ospreys. He has just finished working with Scotland as defence coach on their tour to the southern hemisphere.
He has extensive coaching experience and is well respected in the Welsh game and beyond, having begun his coaching career with Bridgend while still playing for the Ospreys, graduating to a six-year stint as head coach of Ospreys from 2012 to 2018. He then joined Australian Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs before moving to Scotland in 2019. In 2021 he was the defence coach for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
In his first season with Ospreys, having taken over from Sean Holley mid-season, Tandy's side won the Pro 12 (now United Rugby Championship) title, beating then reigning European Champions Leinster 31-30 in the final in Dublin.
'We are delighted to appoint Steve as the new Wales head coach,' WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said. '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.
'Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman .
'Our task now is to ensure Steve has the support and resources he needs to succeed in this role.'
Tandy was defence coach for the Lions on their 2021 tour to South Africa
STEVE HAAG/PA
That is not going to be easy as Welsh rugby is in such a horrible mess, with talk swirling of reducing the number of regions from four to two and the national side not showing any real signs of improvement despite that victory over Japan in the second Test.
'Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,' Tandy said. '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.'
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