Statement: Harlequins boss departs with immediate effect

bySteven Smith

Danny Wilson has been named as Steve Tandy’s assistant coach ahead of Wales’ 2025 Autumn Nations Series at Principality Stadium.

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The Harlequins boss stepped in for Wales’ summer Tests against Japan and now joins full-time, taking charge of the lineout and contact areas.

Tandy’s first game in charge will be against Argentina on 9 November — the Pumas’ first Cardiff visit in three years. He previously worked with Wilson in Scotland’s coaching set-up during the 2019/20 season.

Wilson has been with Harlequins since July 2023, guiding them to a historic first Investec Champions Cup semi-final. His résumé also includes:

Winning the 2017/18 Challenge Cup with Cardiff Rugby
Reaching a World Rugby U20 Championship final with Wales U20s
Coaching Scotland’s forwards from 2018–2020
Leading Glasgow Warriors
A short stint with Leicester Tigers in 2023 as a consultant

Tandy said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Danny to the team on a permanent basis. I’ve worked with him before when we were both with Scotland, and also during his time at Glasgow Warriors, and he is an outstanding coach.

This is a really exciting time and I’m grateful to Danny for accepting the challenge to share in this experience. We can’t wait to get started together preparing for the autumn.”

After Argentina, Wales host Japan, then New Zealand, before closing out against world champions South Africa.

Wilson admitted leaving Harlequins was tough:

“This has been a really tough decision for me to make as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Quins, but the chance to join Wales and return to international rugby was simply too good an opportunity to turn down.

Having the opportunity to experience international rugby again for the interim period with Wales this summer in Japan was a huge honour. I’m delighted to be able to return on a permanent basis and to be able to work again with Steve and this exciting group of young players.”

Wilson will take charge of Quins for the final time on Friday against Newcastle Red Bulls in the Premiership Rugby Cup before moving to the WRU.

WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin added:

“Danny is a great addition to our coaching team and brings a skill set which is very complementary to Steve’s. I’m excited to see the focus and detail he will bring to the role and the positive impact he will have on our game.

We continue to work systematically to recruit Steve’s assistants to form the platform for the long-term success of the men’s national squad.”