Wilson Admits ‘Mood is Great' as Wales Prepare for Argentina Challenge

Wednesday, 05 November 2025 at 18:18

byHarry Tovey

As you walk around the Vale Resort, Wales’ training base, there’s a sense of renewal and realisation of a new era for Welsh Rugby. Steve Tandy will coach his side for the very first time on Sunday against Argentina at Principality Stadium.

He has inherited a side that only recently ended a torrid 18-match losing streak, with players also heading to the Vale of Glamorgan training base amid uncertainty across the regional game. Yet amid the gloom lies opportunity.

The 31-22 triumph over Japan in Kobe in July offered a torn fan base a flicker of hope, but the challenge for Tandy and his 39-man squad is to turn that resilience shown in East Asia into an identity. That’s the real challenge this Autumn.

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Tandy has added Wilson and Matt Sherratt, with the latter walking joyously around the Vale on Wednesday, to his coaching team. Former internationals Rhys Patchell, Duncan Jones, and Dan Lydiate are also involved in the coaching setup.

Former Harlequins boss Wilson left his role to pursue the opportunity to coach at an international level, following a short summer stint as an assistant to former interim head coach Sherratt.

The former Wales Under-20s head coach, who has also had spells at Dragons, Cardiff and Scarlets, wants to see improvements to the 744-cap squad, which has an average age of 26.

“The mood is great, first of all,” began Wilson

"The boys have come in buzzing and trained really well. There's huge enthusiasm.

"It's a new coaching group and some changes that we've made to the way things have been done day to day with scheduling.

"So, it has kind of got a fresh feel about it, and I think the boys have trained with a real spring in their step, and they are really excited for the weekend."

There’s little respite from the highs of ending a losing run, as they entertain Los Pumas this weekend, the first of four internationals this month.

A nation capable of exploiting weaknesses, but out of all the Rugby Championship sides heading to the Welsh capital, this is probably Wales' most significant opportunity to record a win against Southern Hemisphere opposition.

"Argentina have developed to become a real top international side,” explained Wilson.

“The fixtures they play regularly now against the opposition they play, they've learnt over a period of time not to just be competitive in those games but to win those games against your South Africas, New Zealand's and Australia’s.

"A lot of individuals are playing in a lot of different environments, but when they come together collectively, they are extremely passionate first and foremost.

"I've been lucky enough in the club game to play with some of the players who will put the shirt on over the weekend. I know how passionate they are about playing for their country.

"But in exactly the same manner, our boys are just as passionate around how they want to play and win in that Welsh jersey. The other thing about them is their physicality. They relish the physical side of the game.

“That's something we are going to have to not just match but better. They play at pace as well and have an astute kicking game now that they have grown. They have some individuals who are world-class rugby players. It's a great challenge and an exciting one, first up.

"This four-game block is that in abundance. They are playing some of the best sides in the world and some of the best players in the world. It's an amazing challenge for these boys and for us collectively."

The assistant head coach also revealed how impressed he has been by the return of Rhys Carre, two years after being dropped by Warren Gatland. The looshead was dropped from the 2023 Rugby World Cup training squad due to fitness.

Despite all that, he is now back involved with the Welsh setup, having overcome the 25-cap rule. "When I was at Cardiff as a head coach, he was young, coming through the academy system, just breaking in," continued Wilson.

"We were all fully aware of what he was capable of at that stage. Through Matt's time as head coach at Cardiff he played a lot more first team rugby than my time. What is obvious is his ability around the field, his attacking presence, his carrying ability and his turn of pace for a big man.

"Those have now been joined by in the Premiership he's developed at scrum time, been tested at scrum time. He's been a breath of fresh air since he's been in.

"He's been great to work with and I'm really looking forward to seeing how he goes through this campaign."