**Steve Tandy’s Arrival Signals Collaborative Approach and Interim Appointments for Welsh Rugby’s Coaching Set-Up**
The newly confirmed head coach of the Welsh national rugby team, Steve Tandy, is poised to begin his tenure this September, marking a significant transition for Welsh rugby. However, it has been made clear by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) that Tandy will not have absolute autonomy when it comes to choosing his supporting coaching staff. The union, aiming for stability and careful revision, has outlined an inclusive and thorough process for assembling the new backroom team.
Dave Reddin, who serves as the WRU’s Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, shared with the press that while Tandy’s input will be significant, the final selections for the coaching team will be a joint effort. Reddin specified, “Steve won’t be making those decisions alone. We’re both committed to a process as rigorous as the one used in selecting Steve himself.” This method, according to Reddin, is rooted in ensuring that each position is filled by the most suitable candidate, rather than just opting for whoever is immediately available.
With preparations underway for the forthcoming Autumn internationals, Reddin admitted that temporary, or interim, appointments could be necessary. As the WRU endeavours to bring in their preferred choices, there is awareness that these individuals may currently be tied to other commitments, requiring a measure of patience and flexibility.
This collaborative approach signals a shift for the national side, particularly following a summer in which interim staff—led by Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt—steered the team. Sherratt, along with Gethin Jenkins, Leigh Halfpenny, T. Rhys Thomas, Danny Wilson and Adam Jones, collectively managed the Wales squad during the Japan tour. Their successes have not gone unnoticed, and speculation suggests that several may continue under Tandy, with Sherratt a possible candidate for the attack coach position.
The departure of several key figures from Warren Gatland’s backroom team adds yet another layer to the transition. Defence coach Mike Forshaw has already moved on to Leicester Tigers, while forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys is anticipated to follow suit. This, according to Reddin, is part of an ongoing process to “clean up” legacy contracts from the earlier coaching era. While some have been formally given notice, Reddin clarified that this does not necessarily preclude them from being considered in future arrangements as the coaching landscape continues to evolve.
Central to these changes is the appointment of Steve Tandy on a three-year contract. The WRU views this duration as providing Tandy both the stability to develop and implement his rugby philosophy, and a reasonable timeframe for the union to assess progress. “We believe three years is the ideal balance,” Reddin explained, “offering security for Steve while also safeguarding the union from an overly long-term agreement in a sport as unpredictable as rugby.”
The WRU’s renewed approach appears designed to foster a culture of deliberate planning and joint decision-making, a noticeable departure from previous eras of autocratic leadership within the coaching ranks. This strategy, they hope, will lay the foundations for both short-term competitiveness and long-term growth.
Meanwhile, the coming months will be a period of transition and adjustment. The union continues to weigh up their options, both regarding interim measures and longer-term appointments, as they strive to build a collective capable of supporting Tandy’s vision.
With the countdown to the Autumn Series beginning and the rugby world watching closely, the assembled leadership at the WRU faces a pivotal moment—one that could define the direction of Welsh rugby for years to come. As the line between tradition and new beginnings is navigated, fans and observers alike will be eager for signs of progress under this new, collaborative regime.