Wales head coach hunt setback as top target links labelled as ‘speculation’
Steve Tandy with an inset of Gregor Townsend
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has rubbished claims that assistant coach Steve Tandy will become Wales’ next head coach, calling the links ‘nothing but speculation’.
Current defence coach Tandy has been the overwhelming favourite to become the next permanent Wales head coach, with current interim Matt Sherratt still committed to Cardiff for the foreseeable future, but it now seems Tandy’s long-term future remains with Scotland.
Wales have been searching for a permanent boss since the departure of Warren Gatland partway through the 2025 Six Nations.
Steve Tandy to Wales ‘nothing but speculation’
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Rugby Podcast, Scotland boss Townsend downplayed talks of Tandy taking up the post at the Principality.
“There’s nothing but speculation about him and other people linked to the job outside of Scotland,” he said. “We’re very lucky to have Steve, we know that and the players love working with him.”
Townsend also praised his overall work with the Scotland playing squad, ahead of their tour to the Pacific later this summer.
British and Irish Lions legend drafted into Wales coaching group for summer tour
“He’s a brilliant coach. He’s very connected with our players and very excited about this summer’s tour; some of our staff have never been to New Zealand, and Steve hasn’t for a while. We miss the opportunity to coach between campaigns, so he’s buzzing about working with the players again.”
These comments from Townsend will not go down well with the bigwigs at the WRU, particularly new director of rugby and elite performance, Dave Reddin, who could be set to return to the drawing board for their next full-time head coach.
Current Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam was also among the leading contenders for the post, but he has committed his long-term future to the Premiership outfit.
“There was a check around my availability,” Lam previously told WalesOnline. “That was all.
“Do I want to coach at international level? Yeah. But at the moment, I’ve got three more years here and I’m committed to Bristol.”
Links also continue to surround Sherratt with the gig, while Lam’s fellow Premiership coach, Danny Wilson, is also among the list of candidates.
