- Wales are on the lookout for a new permanent head coach for the future
- Current Scotland assistant Steve Tandy is in pole position to win the race
- Tandy has worked in Welsh rugby with the Ospreys and coached the Lions
Steve Tandy has emerged as the No 1 contender to be Wales’ next permanent head coach.
But the man currently employed as Scotland’s defence guru isn’t likely to be in place in time for Wales’ summer tour of Japan.
The Welsh Rugby Union has been on the lookout for a new boss since Warren Gatland departed two games into the 2025 Six Nations.
Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt took over on an interim basis for the rest of the Championship and he is likely to remain in charge against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms later this year.
While Tandy’s appointment is yet to be officially rubberstamped, it seems clear he is in pole position to succeed Gatland.
Tandy, 45, has risen to the head of the queue ahead of other shortlisted options including Glasgow’s Franco Smith and Ireland assistant Simon Easterby.
Steve Tandy has emerged as the No 1 contender to be Wales’ next permanent head coach
The Welsh Rugby Union has been on the lookout for a new boss after Warren Gatland’s exit
The 45-year-old coach has impressed as Scotland defence coach, his role there earning him the right to tour with the British & Irish Lions in 2021, ironically as an assistant to Gatland
Having been in charge of the country’s most successful regional side the Ospreys between 2012 and 2018, Tandy has prior experience of Welsh rugby, albeit at domestic level.
He has impressed as Scotland defence coach, his role there earning him the right to tour with the British & Irish Lions in 2021, ironically as an assistant to Gatland.
Wales’ senior men’s side is on a record run of 17 international defeats without a win, so should Tandy take on the job he will have a big task on his hands to turn things around.
Sherratt and current Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson are contenders to work alongside Tandy full-time, but both men are under contract at their current clubs.
Mail Sport also understands Tandy’s Scottish contract runs until April 2026, which explains why he cannot join Wales straight away.
Having closed in on Tandy, the WRU are also set to officially confirm the appointment of Dave Reddin as their new director of rugby this week.
