Wales finally replace Warren Gatland after mid-Six Nations sacking
Rugby NewsMonday, 09 June 2025 at 17:21
The Welsh Rugby Union are reportedly ready to hand Steve Tandy the mammoth task of reviving their faltering men's national team, according to
WalesOnline.
From Ospreys to Oracles
Once an Ospreys stalwart both on the pitch and in the coaching box, Tandy has carved out a serious reputation since taking over as Scotland’s defence coach in 2019. Now considered one of the sharpest minds in world rugby when it comes to defensive structures, he’s widely credited with turning Scotland into a tough nut to crack.
The Bath Blueprint
The WRU are banking on a similar rebuild to the one seen at Bath under Johann van Graan—tighten the defence, build resilience, and make being hard to beat your brand. With Wales in full-blown crisis mode after a dismal Six Nations and a record 17-test losing streak, a defensive fixer like Tandy makes perfect sense.
World Cup Woes Looming
It’s not just pride on the line either. Wales are on the verge of slipping out of the top two seed bands ahead of the 2027 World Cup draw, which takes place just before next year’s Six Nations. That would be a major blow to their tournament hopes.
Contractual issue
With Tandy being tided up with Scotland until the end of the summer, Wales have put another temporary coaching team in place for their two match tour against Japan.
Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will be joined by former Welsh internationals Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, and T. Rhys Thomas and current Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson for the two-Test tour of Japan, as Wales seek their first win since the 2023 World Cup.
Commenting on the news, Sherratt said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to return and coach Wales again this summer. It’s an exciting prospect to go to Japan for two matches in July.
“Thank you to Cardiff for permitting Gethin and I to take up this opportunity. Thank you also to Harlequins and Gloucester for allowing Danny, Adam and TR to join the coaching team for these two fixtures.
“We are all looking forward to getting into camp and starting preparations for our summer campaign.”
Andy Farrell adds THREE more players to his British & Irish Lions squad
The trio will link up with the squad in Portugal next week as preparations continue for the fixture against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 20 June, followed by the Lions’ tour opener against the Western Force in Perth on 28 June.
Here’s a closer look at each of the new faces:
? Asher Opoku-Fordjour (England, Tighthead Prop)
Age: 20
Club: Sale Sharks
Caps: 1 (England)
Club: Sale Sharks
Caps: 1 (England)
A name on the rise, Opoku-Fordjour’s call-up caps off a breakthrough season for the Sale Sharks tighthead. The 20-year-old made his England debut during the autumn internationals and quickly turned heads with his power at the scrum and mobility around the park. He was also shortlisted for Premiership Young Player of the Season, a testament to his growing influence.
With Tadhg Furlong (injury), Will Stuart (unavailable), and Zander Fagerson (injured) all missing, Farrell has turned to one of England’s brightest front-row prospects to bolster the Lions' depth.
? Jamie George (England, Hooker)
Age: 33
Club: Saracens
Caps: 101 (England)
Club: Saracens
Caps: 101 (England)
One of the most experienced hookers in world rugby, Jamie George brings leadership, set-piece precision, and a wealth of big-game experience. A three-time British & Irish Lions tourist (2017, 2021), George offers Farrell a reliable and proven option amid a hooker shortage—with both Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher tied up with Leinster.
George remains a cornerstone for Saracens and England, and his addition adds serious quality to the training setup in Portugal.
? Finlay Bealham (Ireland, Prop) - replaces injured Zander Fagerson
Age: 32
Club: Connacht
Caps: 41 (Ireland)
Club: Connacht
Caps: 41 (Ireland)
A versatile front-rower capable of playing both sides of the scrum, Bealham has quietly become a key contributor for both Connacht and Ireland. He was part of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations squad in 2023 and featured prominently at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
With his solid scrummaging, hard carries, and a knack for linking play, Bealham adds valuable depth and experience—particularly with so many Leinster players unavailable due to the URC final.
? Lions Under Pressure
With 12 Leinster players, as well as stars from Bath and Leicester, currently tied up in domestic finals, Farrell is working with a skeleton crew—especially in the front row. These new call-ups will provide crucial support in training and could push for tour match involvement if injuries persist.
Expect official confirmation of the full extended squad on Monday as the Lions gear up for a demanding summer campaign.
British & Irish Lions Squad – Portugal Training Camp
Forwards:
- Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
- Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
- Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
- Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
- Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819
- Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (C)
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
- Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks/England)
- Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
- Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Backs:
- Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
- Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
- Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
- Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
- Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
- Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
- Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England) #855
- Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
2025 British & Irish Lions Fixtures
1888 Cup
- 20/06/25: Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 8:00pm
2025 Qatar Airways Lions Series
- 28/06/25: Western Force v Lions, Optus Stadium, Perth – KO 10:45am
- 02/07/25: Queensland Reds v Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – KO 10:45am
- 05/07/25: NSW Waratahs v Lions, Allianz Stadium, Sydney – KO 10:45am
- 09/07/25: ACT Brumbies v Lions, Gio Stadium, Canberra – KO 10:45am
- 12/07/25: Invitational Australia & NZ XV v Lions, Adelaide Oval – KO 10:15am
- 19/07/25: Wallabies v Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – KO 10:45am
- 22/07/25: First Nations & Pasifika XV v Lions, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne – KO 10:45am
- 26/07/25: Wallabies v Lions, MCG, Melbourne – KO 10:45am
- 02/08/25: Wallabies v Lions, Accor Stadium, Sydney – KO 10:45am
TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?
To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!
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