Wales Rugby Coach Search: Steve Tandy Emerges as Frontrunner
The search for a new Wales head coach has taken a significant turn, with betting suspended on who will succeed Warren Gatland. According to reports from Nation.Cymru, Welsh bookmaker Dragon Bet has stopped taking bets on the appointment, with Scotland’s current defence coach, Steve Tandy, now looking set to take the role.
Tandy, a 45-year-old Welshman, has impressed in various coaching roles, including leading Welsh region Ospreys to PRO12 title success and working as a key member of Gregor Townsend’s coaching team with Scotland. His credentials were further recognised when Gatland appointed him to oversee defence for the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa. As Nation.Cymru reports, Tandy has never been an international head coach, but his experience and success in previous roles make him an attractive candidate for the Wales job.
In recent weeks, other candidates, including Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam and Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith, have been touted as leading contenders for the position. However, it appears that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has decided that Tandy is the right man for the job. As Nation.Cymru notes, Wales are searching for a new head coach after Gatland’s second spell in charge came to an end, following a record 14 successive Test-match defeats.
Gatland’s departure was confirmed after the team’s 22-15 Six Nations loss in Italy in February, which proved to be the final straw. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt stepped in as interim coach for the remaining games, but his tenure was marked by a disastrous loss to England. While no formal announcement has been made, it appears that Steve Tandy is the man tasked with taking Wales forward.
The WRU is also set to unveil Dave Reddin as the organisation’s director of professional rugby. Reddin, who worked as fitness advisor to England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad, has held key roles with Team GB and the Football Association. His responsibilities at the FA included performance medicine, performance analysis and insight, player insights, physical performance, nutrition, and people and team development. As Nation.Cymru reports, Reddin’s role will be critical in appointing Wales’ new head coach and overseeing the team’s professional rugby setup.
The appointment of Tandy and Reddin is seen as a significant move by the WRU to revitalise Welsh rugby, which has struggled in recent years. With the Six Nations Championship and other international competitions approaching, the WRU will be eager to confirm the appointments and get the team back on track. As Nation.Cymru notes, the WRU’s decision to appoint Tandy and Reddin is a crucial step in the right direction for Welsh rugby.
The new head coach and director of professional rugby will face significant challenges in rebuilding the team and restoring confidence among fans. However, with Tandy’s coaching credentials and Reddin’s experience in performance management, the WRU is optimistic that the team can turn its fortunes around. As reported by Nation.Cymru, the appointments of Tandy and Reddin are a positive step towards a brighter future for Welsh rugby.
