On Monday, July 21, 2025, the Welsh Rugby Union made history by appointing Steve Tandy, a 45-year-old native of Tonmawr, as the first Welsh-born head coach of the national men’s team since Gareth Jenkins was sacked in 2007. His tenure begins September 1, 2025, and runs through the 2027 Rugby World Cup, marking a bold reset for a team reeling from its worst run in history: an 18-match losing streak—the longest ever by a top-tier rugby nation. The final nail in that streak came on July 12, 2025, when Wales beat Japan 31-22 in Kobe, ending a 541-day drought that had left fans numb and critics questioning the future of Welsh rugby.
A Nation Waiting for Its Own
For nearly two decades, Wales had entrusted its national team to foreign coaches—first Warren Gatland from New Zealand, then interim coach Matt Sherratt. Gatland’s second spell ended on February 24, 2025, after a shocking 22-15 loss to Italy in the Six Nations. That defeat wasn’t just a stumble; it was a symbol. By the time Tandy was named, Wales had lost to Ireland, Scotland, and England in the same tournament, then suffered two more losses on a summer tour of Japan. The only bright spot? That lone win in Kobe. It was a flicker of hope, but not a sign of revival."We didn’t just want a coach," said Abi Tierney, CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union. "We needed someone who understands the soul of Welsh rugby—not just the tactics, but the pride, the pressure, the poetry of playing in front of 70,000 in Cardiff on a Saturday night. Steve grew up in a village where rugby is religion. He knows what it means to wear the red jersey."
From the Playground to the Sideline
Tandy’s journey is as Welsh as the valleys themselves. He played flanker for the Ospreys from 2003 to 2010, making 102 appearances—yet never earned a cap for Wales. Injuries cut short his playing career, but not his passion. He started coaching at his boyhood club, Tonmawr RFC, while still on the pitch. By 2010, he was leading the Bridgend Ravens in the Welsh Premiership. At 32, he took over the Ospreys and won the PRO12 title in his first season (2011/12), beating Leinster 31-30 in a final that doubled as Shane Williams’ last game for the region.He then became Scotland’s defence coach for six years, helping them become one of the most stubborn defensive sides in the northern hemisphere. His work with the British and Irish Lions on their 2021 tour of South Africa under Gatland earned him respect across the globe. But Wales? That was always the dream. He turned down a chance to join Wales’ 2017 summer tour due to family commitments—his three daughters were young then. Now, they’re older. And so is he. And so is Welsh rugby.
The Lions Void and the Weight of History
The most haunting context of Tandy’s appointment? The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. For the first time since 1896, not a single Welsh player was selected. Not one. Not even a bench warmer. That silence from the Lions squad echoed louder than any defeat. It wasn’t just about performance—it was about identity. Wales had lost its voice on the world stage."It’s a wake-up call," said former Wales captain Martyn Williams in a BBC interview. "We’ve been outsourcing our coaching for so long, we forgot how to coach ourselves. Steve doesn’t just know the game—he knows the culture. He knows what happens when a kid in Neath sees a Welsh player score and thinks, ‘That could be me.’"
What’s Next? The Road to 2027
Tandy’s first official match as head coach will be against Argentina on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Then come Japan again, New Zealand, and—most daunting of all—world champions South Africa, all within three consecutive weekends. That’s not a schedule; it’s a trial by fire.He inherits a squad full of raw talent—players like fly-half Dewi Lake, flanker Jac Morgan, and young prop Rhys Carre—but no clear identity. The attack has been disjointed. The set-piece has been brittle. And the mental resilience? Broken.
"I’m not here to fix things overnight," Tandy said in his first press conference. "I’m here to build something that lasts. We’ve got young players who work harder than anyone I’ve seen. They just need belief—and someone who won’t let them forget what they’re capable of."
The Bigger Picture
The WRU’s five-year strategy isn’t just about winning matches. It’s about reconnecting with grassroots rugby, reviving academy pathways, and restoring pride in a system that once produced legends like Gareth Edwards and Barry John. Tandy’s appointment is the first real step in that direction.For too long, Welsh rugby has looked outward—for coaches, for solutions, for validation. Now, it’s looking inward. And for the first time in 18 years, the man at the top was raised on the same pitches where the next generation will learn to tackle, pass, and dream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Steve Tandy’s appointment so significant for Welsh rugby?
Tandy is the first Welsh-born head coach since Gareth Jenkins in 2007, ending a 18-year period where foreign coaches led the national team. His deep roots in Welsh rugby—coaching from Tonmawr RFC to the Ospreys—signal a cultural reset. After Wales had zero players selected for the 2025 Lions tour, the WRU saw his appointment as a way to reconnect with national pride and rebuild from within.
What led to Wales’ record 18-match losing streak?
The streak began in November 2023 after a loss to Australia and was fueled by inconsistent selection, poor set-piece execution, and a lack of attacking cohesion under Warren Gatland’s final tenure. The 2025 Six Nations losses to Italy and Scotland exposed tactical stagnation. Even when Wales showed flashes—like their 2024 win over France—they couldn’t sustain momentum. The psychological toll was immense, with players admitting they feared losing more than they dreamed of winning.
How does Tandy’s coaching style differ from Gatland’s?
Gatland was known for structured, physical, territory-based rugby with a focus on set-piece dominance. Tandy, by contrast, prioritizes defensive discipline, player autonomy, and attacking fluidity—traits he honed with Scotland and the Waratahs. He encourages young players to take risks and trusts their instincts, a shift from Gatland’s more rigid, experience-heavy approach. His Ospreys side in 2012 was the most dynamic in PRO12 history.
What are the immediate challenges Tandy faces?
His first four matches—Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa—are among the toughest in rugby. He must quickly instill confidence, fix defensive gaps, and develop a coherent attack without the luxury of time. He also needs to re-engage fans after years of disappointment and convince sponsors and broadcasters that Welsh rugby is worth investing in again.
Why did it take so long for Wales to appoint a Welsh head coach?
After the 2007 World Cup, the WRU believed foreign coaches brought more tactical innovation and international experience. Gatland’s success in 2008 and 2012 reinforced that belief. But over time, the disconnect grew: Welsh players didn’t see themselves in their coaches, and grassroots development stalled. The 2025 Lions snub was the final proof that the system had lost its way—and that homegrown leadership was no longer optional—it was essential.
Will Tandy have enough time to turn things around before the 2027 World Cup?
It’s a tight timeline, but not impossible. Tandy has two full Six Nations campaigns (2026 and 2027) and a summer tour in 2026 to build cohesion. If he can get Wales to win at least five of their next eight Tests—including a home win over Argentina and a competitive showing against New Zealand—he’ll have laid the foundation. The goal isn’t to win the World Cup in 2027—it’s to be a team that can compete with the best again. That’s progress.