Toast of Tonmawr Tandy aiming to make more Welsh Lions

New Wales Boss Finds Grounding in Home Village

Tonmawr's pride welcomes their newly appointed national rugby coach

Fresh from leading Scotland to victory in New Zealand and accepting the mantle of Wales head coach, Steve Tandy sought solace in his hometown. The 45-year-old, who officially takes on the role September 1st, enjoyed a brief respite at Tonmawr RFC after a busy July filled with matches against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji, Samoa, and the announcement of his return to Wales.

"I went up to the rugby club to watch the third Test in the morning with my brother and loads of my mates, it was awesome," Tandy said. “That's where your roots are and the brilliant part about Wales is the community part of it that leads to the game out at Principality Stadium.”

While national success awaits, Tandy's roots remain firmly planted in Tonmawr. He credits his early coaches and the village for instilling his love for the sport. “It is with massive pride that I feel I’m representing the village, who have been there through thick and thin,” he explained.

"The Lions Is The Pinnacle"

Tandy's visit to Tonmawr coincided with the British & Irish Lions Test against Australia. Although only Welsh flanker Jac Morgan featured from the bench in the series, Tandy expressed his desire for more Welsh players on the next tour to New Zealand in 2027.

“At the end of the day the Lions is the pinnacle isn't it?” he said. “I would love to see more the next time it comes around and know when I was with Scotland the pride that we had, then you see the growth around that.”

Facing the Music: From Assistant to Head Coach

While Tandy has honed his skills as a Test assistant coach, his new role demands a greater public presence. He acknowledges the increased scrutiny and expectations but remains determined to navigate the challenges.

“A role like this does change for me because I can't remember every doing a press conference with so many people and so much formality. But it is something that you have to embrace and part of my growth has been from getting uncomfortable with things."

After Wales' recent struggles, the entire nation eagerly awaits Tandy's leadership and hopes for a brighter future for Welsh rugby.