**WRU Boss Dismisses Resignation Claims and Outlines Tandy Appointment Amid Tumultuous Period**
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has strongly denied speculation regarding chief executive Abi Tierney’s future at the helm, after recent rumours suggested she might soon be stepping down. Addressing the uncertainty around her position and the lengthy process that led to Steve Tandy’s appointment as head coach, Tierney declared reports of her planned departure as “categorically false,” reaffirming her commitment to leading the union through a critical rebuilding phase.
The appointment of Tandy, confirmed earlier this week, brings to a close a protracted search for a successor to Warren Gatland, whose second period as Wales boss ended earlier this year after a disappointing run. Gatland’s tenure unravelled with 14 successive test defeats, only for the team’s woes to continue under interim coach Matt Sherratt until a late victory over Japan arrested the slide at 18 consecutive losses. This alarming streak has seen Wales drop to an unprecedented 14th position in the world rankings, a development that many believed would hamper the WRU’s ability to attract leading coaching talent.
Welsh rugby currently stands at a crossroads. A wide-ranging consultation is underway to decide whether the number of professional clubs should be reduced from four to either three or two. In light of this background, it would have been perhaps understandable if the WRU struggled to entice high-calibre candidates. However, Tierney vehemently rejects any suggestion that Wales were on the back foot during negotiations, emphasising instead the mutual enthusiasm between the union and Tandy.
“Steve was very clear about wanting the job,” Tierney explained, noting the challenges involved in securing his services from his existing contract with the Scottish Rugby Union. She highlighted that the drawn-out nature of the process was largely down to Tandy’s sense of responsibility towards seeing his commitments through with Scotland, rather than any lack of appeal in the Welsh role itself.
As she elaborated on the recruitment process, Tierney stressed the significance of long-term thinking in the WRU’s approach. “For us, it wasn’t about searching for a so-called ‘super coach’—it was about finding someone who recognised this was a project demanding patience and vision,” she said. “We needed a leader who wanted to join us on a long journey, not just fix short-term problems.”
In discussions that unfolded during interviews, Tierney said it was clear that Tandy viewed the Wales post as a calling. Reflecting on his career since leaving the Ospreys, including spells with the New South Wales Waratahs and then Scotland, Tierney praised Tandy’s relentless drive to learn and grow. “A core feature of Steve’s approach is his eagerness to improve continually. Throughout the process, it became obvious that returning to Welsh rugby was something he always aspired to, having honed his abilities elsewhere before coming home.”
Amid ongoing turbulence in the domestic game, with no certainty yet about the future structure of the professional tier, the need for resolute leadership at the WRU has arguably never been greater. Tierney insists she is firmly committed to steering Welsh rugby through these challenges. “I am absolutely staying,” she stated, batting away questions regarding her possible departure. “Quitting isn’t in my nature.”
Social media recently fuelled rumours that Tierney might be planning to leave her post, possibly upon returning to the UK from recent business. When questioned on these claims, she stated bluntly: “It is categorically false.”
The WRU will be hoping that the arrival of Tandy brings not only stability on the field but also sets in motion a period of renewal away from it. Tierney’s public assurance that she won’t be “doing anything different” any time soon will likely reassure those anxious about further upheaval at the top.
As Wales prepare for the next chapter under Tandy’s leadership, all eyes will be on the results—both in terms of performance and in how the union navigates the ongoing restructuring of professional rugby. For now, Tierney has set out to quash unrest and instil confidence that decisive leadership is still very much in place.