Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy has been appointed as the new Wales head coach and will leave Scottish Rugby on 31 August 2025, it was announced this week.
He will be in post in time to take charge of Wales ahead of the newly-minted “Quilter Nations Series” in November – the Autumn Internationals to us mortals.
Tandy joined Scotland before the 2020 Six Nations after a defensively appalling 2019 World Cup in Japan, and has played a key role in shaping the national team’s defence over the past few years.
He made an immediate impact in the role and was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time with the Scotland national team, so this has been a really tough decision to make. I’ve built great relationships with the players and coaches here and I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made together. Not only have I loved working in Scotland, but the way people have welcomed my family and made us feel at home is something I’ll always remember.”
Before his time with Scotland, Tandy coached the Waratahs and the Ospreys, leading the Welsh side to a PRO12 title in 2012.
It follows the news last week that Bryan Easson will step down from his role as Scotland Women’s coach following the World Cup this summer, a role he’s held for the last five of his twenty-five working within the Scottish Rugby system. During his tenure Scotland rose from the 11th ranked side to a high mark of 5th.
We wish them both well for the future.