Statement: Wales have finally confirmed Warren Gatland replacement
Rugby NewsMonday, 21 July 2025 at 11:01
Steve Tandy will lead Wales into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and begins his tenure as his country’s new senior men's Head Coach on the 1st September.
Steve is a former British & Irish Lions coach (2021) and was Ospreys head coach for a six-year period before joining Australian Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
He has just finished a Southern Hemisphere tour against New Zealand Maori, Fiji and Samoa as an integral part of Scottish Rugby’s coaching team.
The 45-year-old, who was born in Tonmawr, boasts a varied and impressive coaching career which has led the Welsh Rugby Union to view him as the man to help bring in a new era for the game in Wales.
“We are delighted to appoint Steve as the new Wales head coach,” said WRU CEO Abi Tierney.
“After a thorough and detailed appointment process. Steve emerged as the standout candidate, and we know we have secured the very best coach for the job.
“This is a keystone appointment for us and an integral part of our five-year strategy as we look to achieve sustainable success for our senior men’s side.
“Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman .
“Our task now is to ensure Steve has the support and resources he needs to succeed in this role.”
The one-time Bridgend and Neath flanker made over 100 appearances for the Ospreys before converting to coaching full-time and graduated to head coach of the regional club between 2012 and 2018.
In his opening season with the Ospreys Tandy lifted the Pro 12 (now URC) title when his side beat then reigning European Champions Leinster by a point (30-31) in the final in Dublin.
During his time coaching in Wales he would take the Ospreys to a further two semi-finals of the same competition, losing out to Munster on both occasions.
“Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,” said Tandy.
“I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the
national team back to competing with the best countries in the world.
national team back to competing with the best countries in the world.
“I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have.
“The autumn fixtures represent a huge opportunity and gives us a chance to test ourselves
against some of the best teams in world rugby.”
against some of the best teams in world rugby.”
WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin added, "Steve’s coaching journey and the approach he has taken to his own learning and development since leaving the Ospreys really impressed us during the interview process.
“He embodies the collaborative and systematic approach to building success that I want to instil across our high-performance system.
“Steve is an excellent coach with the motivation and curiosity to continue to learn and develop very much a part of his DNA; these are hugely important characteristics for everyone in our system.
“He brings a wealth of experience, a unique understanding of Wales and the young talent we have at our disposal and a huge amount of passion and desire to excel in the role.
“Steve is a vital part of the future strategy for success in Welsh rugby and I will ensure he has the space, time and support to realise the potential of the exciting group of players he will have at his disposal.”
EDITORS PICKS:
- Ben Earl Tackle Sparks Fierce Debate as Fans Clash Over Legality
- Springboks player ratings as Bomb Squad overpowers Georgia
- Curry and McCarthy injury update: ‘We got him off just in time’
- One Lions star is handed a brutal rating in player scores against Australia
- Lions legend Alun Wyn Jones takes on new military role
Three Lions stars who flopped agains the Wallabies
Here’s a breakdown of the three underperforming Lions players, their potential replacements, and why each should be dropped for the next Test based on current form and match impact.
#1. Hugo Keenan – Fullback
Performance Summary:
- Rating Consensus: 5/10 across all outlets
- Errors: Two turnovers, poor under the high ball, responsible for Max Jorgensen’s try
- Positives: Grew into the game slightly, some flashes of attacking promise
Critique:
Keenan struggled under pressure, especially in the aerial game — a non-negotiable at Test level. His missed contest under the high ball directly led to Australia’s first try, and he looked shaky throughout when tested defensively.
Keenan struggled under pressure, especially in the aerial game — a non-negotiable at Test level. His missed contest under the high ball directly led to Australia’s first try, and he looked shaky throughout when tested defensively.
Replacement: Blair Kinghorn
If fit, Kinghorn offers more size, versatility, and attacking spark. His high ball security and counter-attacking ability could offer greater threat and reliability.
If fit, Kinghorn offers more size, versatility, and attacking spark. His high ball security and counter-attacking ability could offer greater threat and reliability.
Final Verdict:
Keenan should be dropped for lack of command at the back and vulnerability under pressure, which cost the Lions territory and points. Kinghorn’s more robust and dynamic style is a better fit against high-kicking sides like Australia.
#2. Tommy Freeman – Wing
Performance Summary:
- Rating Consensus: 4–5/10
- Errors: Kicks out on the full (twice), 4 turnovers, poor offloading
- Positives: Early physical carry, effort in defense
Critique:
Freeman’s athleticism and effort aren’t in doubt, but his execution was off. Repeated unforced kicking errors, soft knock-ons, and poor decision-making stunted momentum and gave Australia easy outs. Despite work rate, he looked out of sync with teammates.
Freeman’s athleticism and effort aren’t in doubt, but his execution was off. Repeated unforced kicking errors, soft knock-ons, and poor decision-making stunted momentum and gave Australia easy outs. Despite work rate, he looked out of sync with teammates.
Replacement: Duhan van der Merwe
Duhan offers physical dominance, line-breaking ability, and finishing power. He can punish defensive lapses and relieve pressure with carries.
Duhan offers physical dominance, line-breaking ability, and finishing power. He can punish defensive lapses and relieve pressure with carries.
Final Verdict:
Freeman should be dropped because his decision-making under pressure and basic handling let the team down. Van der Merwe is a more imposing and reliable threat in both attack and defense.
#3. James Lowe – Wing
Performance Summary:
- Rating Consensus: 3–5/10 (lowest average rating of the three)
- Errors: Kicked dead, dropped ball near try-line, overcooked kicks, turnover near tryline
- Positives: One promising fend and inside ball (disallowed try)
Critique:
Lowe had a nightmare game. Multiple poor decisions — particularly with ball in hand and tactical kicking — led to lost points and momentum. His lack of pace was exposed, and he repeatedly gave away field position.
Lowe had a nightmare game. Multiple poor decisions — particularly with ball in hand and tactical kicking — led to lost points and momentum. His lack of pace was exposed, and he repeatedly gave away field position.
Replacement: Mack Hansen
Hansen is creative, composed, and has strong game awareness. He brings spark, great handling, and reliable kicking from the backfield, making him an all-round upgrade.
Hansen is creative, composed, and has strong game awareness. He brings spark, great handling, and reliable kicking from the backfield, making him an all-round upgrade.
Final Verdict:
Lowe must be dropped — his decision-making, handling, and lack of pace are liabilities. Mack Hansen brings more polish and unpredictability that could unlock Australia’s defense.
Quiz Title: Most Points for the British & Irish Lions in Test Matches
Introduction:
Think you know your Lions legends? ?
Test your rugby knowledge by naming the players who have scored the most points for the British & Irish Lions in test matches. These are the top scorers from historic tours—can you remember them all?
Think you know your Lions legends? ?
Test your rugby knowledge by naming the players who have scored the most points for the British & Irish Lions in test matches. These are the top scorers from historic tours—can you remember them all?
You have 5 minutes.
Good luck!
Good luck!
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading