Wales could be turning to a familiar face from across the border as Steve Tandy, Scotland’s current defence mastermind, is now understood to be the frontrunner to succeed Warren Gatland as head coach.
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Tandy, 45, has quietly built a reputation as one of the most respected defensive strategists in world rugby. Since joining the Scotland set-up in 2019, the former Ospreys boss has transformed their defensive discipline, turning them into one of the hardest teams to break down in the Six Nations.
His stock rose even further when Warren Gatland personally picked him to be part of the British & Irish Lions coaching team for the 2021 tour of South Africa.
Now, in an ironic twist of fate, he could be the man replacing Gatland according to Wales Online – following the Kiwi's resignation after a disastrous run of 14 consecutive defeats.
Who is Steve Tandy? | Full Bio
- Full name: Steven Andrew Tandy
- Born: February 16, 1980 (age 45)
- Birthplace: Tonmawr, Neath, Wales
- Position (as player): Flanker
- Clubs (as player): Neath, Ospreys
- Coaching career:
- Ospreys Head Coach (2012–2018) – Appointed at just 32, making him one of the youngest head coaches in Pro12 history.
- NSW Waratahs Defence Coach (2018–2019) – Took his expertise to Super Rugby, helping solidify the Waratahs' defence.
- Scotland Defence Coach (2019–present) – Widely credited with revitalising Scotland’s back-row resilience and defensive structure.
Why Tandy Makes Sense for Wales
After a torrid 12 months, the Welsh Rugby Union needs a coach who understands both the local landscape and the demands of the modern international game. Tandy brings both. Not only is he Welsh through and through, but he’s also gained valuable experience abroad and at the highest levels with the Lions.
With Gatland gone and the WRU looking to reboot, Tandy could be the safe – but smart – pair of hands needed to steady the ship.
– and his picks are bound to raise a few eyebrows.
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Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions
Wales legend Dan Biggar has officially called time on his playing career, but not before dropping a blockbuster British & Irish Lions XV on The Rugby Pod
The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton’s podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there's no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.
Here’s how Biggar’s team shaped up…
Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
It’s an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster's dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.
Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne
4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne
5. Tadhg Beirne
England’s Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He’s paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.
Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)
6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England’s Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland’s Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who’s fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.
Livewire half-backs: Gibson-Park & Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Finn Russell
10. Finn Russell
Gone are the days of conservative Lions 9-10 combos. Biggar’s gone full jazz here. Gibson-Park brings the zip, and Russell… well, Russell brings the flair. The Scotland maestro’s creativity earns him the No.10 jersey over Biggar himself – no ego here.
Fire on the flanks: Lowe & Kinghorn
11. James Lowe
14. Blair Kinghorn
14. Blair Kinghorn
Two versatile Scots fill the wing slots, with Kinghorn’s blend of size and speed complementing Lowe’s relentless work rate and booming left boot. Biggar clearly values adaptability out wide – and a bit of flair never hurts.
Caledonian connection in midfield: Tuipulotu & Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
13. Huw Jones
13. Huw Jones
The Glasgow Warriors pairing have formed one of the deadliest centre combos in rugby, and Biggar’s kept them together. It’s a bold call, but one based on form and synergy rather than reputation alone.
Rock-solid fullback: Hugo Keenan
15. Hugo Keenan
No surprise here – Keenan has been Ireland’s Mr Consistent, and Biggar trusts him to be the safety net at the back. His positioning, aerial ability and counter-attacks make him a nailed-on pick.
The bench: a mix of muscle and mischief
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Zander Fagerson, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith
It’s a stacked bench with serious impact. Genge and Fagerson bring brute force, while Earl and Morgan cover the back row with pace and punch. Marcus Smith adds some stardust, and Mitchell offers serious tempo at scrum-half.
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!
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