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BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Tonmawr's Tandy destined to become Wales head coach
"It is the job he was destined to do."That was the verdict from Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney after installing Steve Tandy as the men's head has returned to Wales after a seven-year absence following coaching stints in Australia and has completed the transition from a no-nonsense flanker, who never quite managed to win a Wales cap, to leading his country off the his beloved Tonmawr to the top job in Welsh rugby. This is the Steve Tandy story. Local lad done good Tandy hails from the small village of Tonmawr, which is about four miles east of Neath. "What an achievement for a guy from Tonmawr, everyone in the area is so proud of Steve," Tonmawr club president Michael Thomas told Radio Cymru."It is a small village and the rugby club is very important to village life."It is a family club and the Tandy family has made a huge contribution to this club."His grandfather Jimmy played for the club, and for Neath."His dad, Peter, played and coached here. Steve himself played for this club and then his brother Kevin, who also coached. "And now Steve's nephew, Kevin's son Elliott, is the club captain." Playing days Tandy made the trip down the road to the Gnoll in the late 1990s where he was greeted by Lyn Jones, who was Neath's head coach between 1994 and 2003 before leading Ospreys until 2008."Steve started at Neath in 1998, and you could see he loved rugby," said Jones."He wanted to know everything. He's a serious person and enjoys the minutiae of the sport."He came to every single training session, standing next to Brett Sinkinson [former Neath and Wales flanker] waiting for his chance."One day that chance finally came."Tandy made 74 appearances for Neath before becoming a member of the Ospreys squad when the region was formed in 2003, where he played 102 games.A month after playing his final professional game in March 2010, the back-rower was appointed head coach of Bridgend, having started his coaching career with Ospreys' Under-16s and spending time helping guide secured promotion to the Welsh Premiership in his first season before he was thrust into the professional spotlight in February 2012. Strong Ospreys start Aged just 32, Tandy was appointed as head coach by Andrew Hore to replace Sean Holley, with director of rugby Scott Johnson also leaving Ospreys on the same was a baptism of fire with Tandy having to lead people he had played with and manage high-profile took things in his stride by guiding his star-studded side to the Pro12 title with Ospreys defeating reigning European champions Leinster in the Dublin Wales second row Ian Gough straddled Tandy's two rugby careers."I played with and against Steve and was coached by him when he started his coaching career and also coached with him," Gough told BBC Radio Wales."He is a proud guy and he might even manage a smile after this news, although he is not known to smile too often. "He is a good, honest bloke. He says it as it is, he is not somebody who will say something to your face and then something else behind your back. He will always front up. I am just so proud of him."Ospreys reached the league semi-finals on two more occasions during Tandy's tenure but never cracked left in January 2018 with managing director Andrew Millward "saying the decision that has been taken lightly" but "results had not been good enough and change was necessary". Friends reunited Tandy was left wondering what to do next and made his way to Australia where he linked up as defence coach with Super Rugby side was reunited with former Ospreys boss Hore who was by then chief executive of the Sydney-based director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin says Tandy's readiness to try different environments proved a factor in his appointment."His coaching journey shows someone that has been unafraid to push himself into some uncomfortable experiences and challenge the way he was operating as a coach and develop as a result," said Reddin."Particularly moving from the Ospreys to the Waratahs was a journey that caused him to re-imagine how he coached and how he thought about it."He's continued to do that throughout his career and that's an amazing quality for, our younger players particularly, to be able to see in the coach and there's still growth in everybody." Scotland success Tandy was snapped up by Scotland following the 2019 World Cup and has been there since, with a stint also with Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions side in South Africa in flanker Jac Morgan says the Scottish players in the British and Irish Lions squad were gutted to see Tandy leave their set-up and those sentiments were echoed by head coach Gregor Townsend."We're sorry to see Steve go because he's had a positive influence on Scottish rugby," said Townsend."Firstly, with the players 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 been someone I've leaned on for advice. "It'll be sad not having him with us anymore but I understand it's a massive honour for him to become head coach of his home country."Scotland's loss is Wales gain, although the Tandy family might need to be reminded of their allegiances once more."For the last six years if you walk around Neath, I've seen Steve's dad, Peter wearing a Scotland Rugby Union jacket," said Lyn Jones."So I'm looking forward to seeing him wearing a new red coat now!" 'Coaching at the top level' Tandy has not been a head coach at international level but his old Neath and Ospreys mentor Jones does not believe the new Wales boss will be hampered by that."Steve has the experience," said Jones."He knows what needs to be done, and would have learnt those lessons from being head coach at Bridgend and Ospreys. "He will have experience as well from being part of the Lions' coaching set up to South Africa in 2021."Gough praised Tandy's bravery in taking on the job."It is a gutsy decision by him and his family," said Gough."He has come into the hot-seat at arguably the toughest position in world rugby at the moment. "He knows the task at hand and it is a huge challenge. He is a Tonmawr boy and his family live in the area, so he will live it 24/7."
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tierney has 'fire' to help Welsh rugby transform
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney says she still has "fire in her belly" in the role and wants to help the Wales men's team return to the elite of world rugby. Steve Tandy has been installed as the new men's head coach as he takes over a side who suffered a record 18 Test defeats before a first win in 21 months when they beat Japan earlier this month. Wales have slipped to 12th in the world rankings after Tierney launched a new strategy in June 2024 where the aim was for Wales to be in the top five in 2029. "It was always an aspiration but it's getting harder to achieve that since we published that," said Tierney. "It doesn't mean we're giving up on it. I've got fire in my belly to get up there." It has been a tumultuous time in Welsh rugby since Tierney took over in January in 2024 but she says she will not walk away. "I have the fire to stay in the role, absolutely," said Tierney. "I'm not considering doing anything different. I don't give up easily." Tierney is currently in Australia where she is watching the British and Irish Lions tour and attending World Rugby meetings. When asked if suggestions that she would leave her post upon her return had any truth in them, she replied: "Categorically false." Will there be a cut in sides? It remains a tough time with the WRU considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 season. The governing body says it is entering a formal consultation and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even two, with a final decision expected by October. "So one of the options is to keep four but fund them differently," said Tierney. "Another option is to go to three or you could fund them differently again. You could have a three on equal funding or a two plus one. "Other option is to go to two. From a performance level you can make them work. I think they've all got trade-offs." Mergers between sides have been mooted. "Everything is on the table," said Tierney. "In the formal consultation will be a direction of travel in terms of number of clubs and then conversations begin in earnest to see how clubs can make that work." The season 2027-28 has been highlighted for the time for change with Tierney stating the early date of 2026-27 could only achieved if there an agreement was in place. Tierney says they have spoken to the United Rugby Championship (URC) about reducing teams. "They have been as supportive as they can be and understand we need to do something," said Tierney. "Their preference is we stay with four teams but understand we may need to do something so it is about working with them." Tierney also stated the WRU's focus was on the URC rather than trying to go into an Anglo-Welsh league. 'Cardiff situation made us pause' Earlier this year, the WRU had previously stated there was enough money to fund four professional sides equally. Tierney says things changed when Cardiff went into administration in April and was taken over by the WRU. The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal. The deal has been agreed by Cardiff and Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been resolved. "When Cardiff happened, that showed just how challenged the system is," said Tierney. "It made us all pause, including the regions. That meant we weren't able to give sufficient reassurances to two of the regions for them to sign. "So when you don't have a deal, it's time to think about what to do different." Tierney say a drop in finances has affected their previous forecasts. "When we modelled the original offer, it was based on the numbers at the time but numbers have gone the wrong way since then," said Tierney. "We should have done a tougher downside but the headwinds that have affected rugby globally since were not reflected, especially competition income and media rights, while costs have also gone up with national insurance, player wages and costs of running a stadium. "We've seen revenue going down and costs going up. It means the gap to make up is larger for the regions. There's only so far the money goes." Ospreys and Scarlets are considering legal action against the WRU about their handling of the Cardiff situation. "That's always a concern," said Tierney. "They are all still talking to me about what's in best interest for Welsh rugby and want to find a way forward. "I remain optimistic we will find a way through this and can avoid legal action because that's the worst thing that can happen for Welsh rugby with delays and costs involved." Wales name Tandy as new head coach 'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin Tandy needs 'patience' in Wales task, says Davies Committed to providing certainty Tierney accepts the current uncertainty in Welsh rugby is troubling. "It is a huge burden when you hear about players worried about their jobs," said Tierney. "It is not just the players, but all employees with the four clubs and the WRU because we are looking at changing the whole system. "This is not just about the number of clubs but it's about how we transform professional rugby and our pathways. "You take that seriously and we have committed to honouring players contracts. "Hopefully people will see we behaved with integrity around the Cardiff situation. "We will continue to try and make sure people get certainty as quickly as possible, treat people with respect and are as transparent and open as we can." Tierney says change is required. "We need to now put something in place that might be hard but put us on a sustainable footing going forward and won't require future change," said Tierney. "We all say we need to do something different and the message from clubs and players is to do that quickly and remove uncertainty."
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Tierney has 'fire' to help Welsh rugby transform
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney says she still has "fire in her belly" in the role and wants to help the Wales men's team return to the elite of world Tandy has been installed as the new men's head coach as he takes over a side who suffered a record 18 Test defeats before a first win in 21 months when they beat Japan earlier this have slipped to 12th in the world rankings after Tierney launched a new strategy in June 2024 where the aim was for Wales to be in the top five in 2029."It was always an aspiration but it's getting harder to achieve that since we published that," said Tierney."It doesn't mean we're giving up on it. I've got fire in my belly to get up there." It has been a tumultuous time in Welsh rugby since Tierney took over in January in 2024 but she says she will not walk away. "I have the fire to stay in the role, absolutely," said Tierney."I'm not considering doing anything different. I don't give up easily."Tierney is currently in Australia where she is watching the British and Irish Lions tour and attending World Rugby meetings. When asked if suggestions that she would leave her post upon her return had any truth in them, she replied: "Categorically false." Will there be a cut in sides? It remains a tough time with the WRU considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 governing body says it is entering a formal consultation and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even two, with a final decision expected by October."So one of the options is to keep four but fund them differently," said Tierney."Another option is to go to three or you could fund them differently again. You could have a three on equal funding or a two plus one. "Other option is to go to two. From a performance level you can make them work. I think they've all got trade-offs."Mergers between sides have been mooted."Everything is on the table," said Tierney."In the formal consultation will be a direction of travel in terms of number of clubs and then conversations begin in earnest to see how clubs can make that work."The season 2027-28 has been highlighted for the time for change with Tierney stating the early date of 2026-27 could only achieved if there an agreement was in says they have spoken to the United Rugby Championship (URC) about reducing teams."They have been as supportive as they can be and understand we need to do something," said Tierney. "Their preference is we stay with four teams but understand we may need to do something so it is about working with them."Tierney also stated the WRU's focus was on the URC rather than trying to go into an Anglo-Welsh league. 'Cardiff situation made us pause' Earlier this year, the WRU had previously stated there was enough money to fund four professional sides says things changed when Cardiff went into administration in April and was taken over by the current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal has been agreed by Cardiff and Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been resolved."When Cardiff happened, that showed just how challenged the system is," said Tierney."It made us all pause, including the regions. That meant we weren't able to give sufficient reassurances to two of the regions for them to sign. "So when you don't have a deal, it's time to think about what to do different."Tierney say a drop in finances has affected their previous forecasts."When we modelled the original offer, it was based on the numbers at the time but numbers have gone the wrong way since then," said Tierney."We should have done a tougher downside but the headwinds that have affected rugby globally since were not reflected, especially competition income and media rights, while costs have also gone up with national insurance, player wages and costs of running a stadium."We've seen revenue going down and costs going up. It means the gap to make up is larger for the regions. There's only so far the money goes."Ospreys and Scarlets are considering legal action against the WRU about their handling of the Cardiff situation."That's always a concern," said Tierney."They are all still talking to me about what's in best interest for Welsh rugby and want to find a way forward."I remain optimistic we will find a way through this and can avoid legal action because that's the worst thing that can happen for Welsh rugby with delays and costs involved." Committed to providing certainty Tierney accepts the current uncertainty in Welsh rugby is troubling."It is a huge burden when you hear about players worried about their jobs," said Tierney."It is not just the players, but all employees with the four clubs and the WRU because we are looking at changing the whole system."This is not just about the number of clubs but it's about how we transform professional rugby and our pathways."You take that seriously and we have committed to honouring players contracts. "Hopefully people will see we behaved with integrity around the Cardiff situation."We will continue to try and make sure people get certainty as quickly as possible, treat people with respect and are as transparent and open as we can."Tierney says change is required."We need to now put something in place that might be hard but put us on a sustainable footing going forward and won't require future change," said Tierney."We all say we need to do something different and the message from clubs and players is to do that quickly and remove uncertainty."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
World Rugby announce final world rankings of the season as series to decide everything
The final World Rugby rankings of the season have been announced, with Wales ending the campaign in 12th place after finally putting an end to their dismal losing streak. After a brutal run of 18 Test match defeats, which stretched all the way back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Welsh fans were finally able to celebrate a victory earlier this month as Matt Sherratt's side overcame Japan in the second of two showdowns with Eddie Jones' men on tour. That win not only got a sizeable monkey off the backs of all those involved with the national side, but also ensured that Wales moved back up the global rankings, having dropped to a humiliating record low of 14th in the world following their opening tour defeat to Japan, who leapfrogged Sherratt's side alongside Samoa. READ MORE: Appalling England complaint upheld by World Rugby as investigation emerges READ MORE: Steve Tandy named new Wales head coach in major WRU announcement: Live updates The slip also meant that Wales briefly dropped into the third banding of seeds for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the draw for which will be conducted in December this year. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The tournament in two years' time has been expanded to include 24 teams, with all of the qualified teams to be confirmed before the draw takes place. All of the qualified teams will be seeded based on their rankings at the end of this year's decisive autumn series, and with the competition comprising six pools of four teams, the seeding bands are broken down by every six teams. That means the top six teams in the world would be top seeds for the tournament, with those between 7th and 12th in the second banding of seeds and so on. Wales being outside of the global top 12 by the end of the autumn would likely prove disastrous, therefore, as they would be set to drawn in a 'pool of death' for the 2027 tournament with two of the world's top teams. The win over Japan, however, means that they head into their autumn international campaign in 12th place, just 0.64 ranking points behind Georgia and 1.57 ahead of Samoa. Wales could have dropped to 13th place had the Samoans recorded a shock victory over Scotland last weekend, but Gregor Townsend's side eased to a 12-41 win as they bounced back from their painful defeat to Fiji. A tough run of games now awaits Wales in the autumn, with three of the world's top seven sides - Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa - all heading to Cardiff, while a third clash with Japan is also part of the schedule. While it will depend on results elsewhere, a single win in the autumn could well be enough for Wales to remain in the world's top 12 teams and head into the next Rugby World Cup in the second banding of seeds. Elsewhere in the new world rankings, New Zealand have moved within 0.72 ranking points of top spot, with their 29-19 win over France seeing them edge closer to the number one spot currently occupied by South Africa. Defeat to the All Blacks has seen the French fall away from the global top three and closer to fifth-placed England, who now trail them by just 0.18 ranking points, while Scotland remain in eighth but move closer to Argentina in seventh after beating Samoa. Spain and Chile have also had ranking point boosts but the only positional changes come further down the table, with Zimbabwe moving ahead of Canada after qualifying for their first Rugby World Cup since 1991, and the Netherlands leapfrogging Namibia. The latest World Rugby rankings (July 21) 1South Africa 92.782New Zealand 92.06 (+0.34) 3Ireland 89.834France 87.82 (-0.34) 5England 87.646Australia 82.087Argentina 82.058Scotland 81.57 (+0.20) 9Fiji 80.5010Italy 77.7711Georgia 74.6912Wales 74.0513Samoa 72.48 (-0.20) 14Japan 72.2915Spain 69.12 (+0.20) 16USA 68.4517Uruguay 67.5218Portugal 66.4419Tonga 65.4620Chile 63.83 (+0.63) 21Romania 62.6722Belgium 61.2023Hong Kong China 59.9824 (↑26) Zimbabwe 58.80 (+1.01) 25 (↓24) Canada 57.75 (-0.20) 26 (↑27) Netherlands 57.0127 (↓25) Namibia 56.86 (-1.01) 28Brazil 55.90 (-0.63) 29Switzerland 55.2630Poland 54.06
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby Dave Reddin says Welsh rugby cannot continue as it is and big decisions are needed to produce a "radically different future".The WRU is considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 governing body says it is entering a formal consultation with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even WRU has finally appointed a new head coach in Steve Tandy but Reddin says that alone will not solve the ills of Welsh rugby."I think we have to say, given where we are, that we can't continue the way we've been," said Reddin. "That would be the height of madness to think that one coaching appointment is going to change the outcome."It won't. I think we need to lean into and embrace that." The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and it was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal has been agreed by WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-owned Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been has led to the WRU stating it can no longer afford to fund four professional sides equally, which has led to the threat of a reduction in has only just started his new role but is involved, along with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney, in plans to change the structure of the game in Wales, a process which is scheduled to finish in October."I've been getting involved in that behind the scenes prior to starting because there's no more critical thing for Welsh rugby," said Reddin."We are going to consult and it is a genuine consultation. We want to talk to people."I've got a clear view of one of the options we could have going forward but the consultation process is genuine."If we sit here and think that nobody has a better idea than us then we are done from the start."That consultation will include players, it will include clubs and will include all the key stakeholders."We need to do it in a respectful and comprehensive way so that whatever the decision ends up being, everyone feels they've had a voice in that and it's something in the future they can get behind." 'We have got to make big decisions' Having come from the Scotland system of two professional sides, new head coach Tandy will be asked for his opinion on any changes but will not be directly involved in the decision-making."Steve will be consulted about his views on the direction we take but he will not be going out and talking to the regions about the future strategic proposals," said Reddin."That's my job and Abi's job, to get out there and do that piece of work."Ultimately then we've got to make a decision taking into account all of that insight that people will bring to it."I'm sure there'll be a lot of passion and emotion that comes to it as well."Reddin says tough decisions will have to be made."Ultimately we've got to assimilate all of that information and make sure that informs the decisions we take going forwardx, as difficult as they might be," said Reddin."We've got to make some big decisions if we want a radically different future."
