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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
World Rugby announce final world rankings of the season as series to decide everything
The final World Rugby rankings of the season have been announced, with Wales ending the campaign in 12th place after finally putting an end to their dismal losing streak. After a brutal run of 18 Test match defeats, which stretched all the way back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Welsh fans were finally able to celebrate a victory earlier this month as Matt Sherratt's side overcame Japan in the second of two showdowns with Eddie Jones' men on tour. That win not only got a sizeable monkey off the backs of all those involved with the national side, but also ensured that Wales moved back up the global rankings, having dropped to a humiliating record low of 14th in the world following their opening tour defeat to Japan, who leapfrogged Sherratt's side alongside Samoa. READ MORE: Appalling England complaint upheld by World Rugby as investigation emerges READ MORE: Steve Tandy named new Wales head coach in major WRU announcement: Live updates The slip also meant that Wales briefly dropped into the third banding of seeds for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the draw for which will be conducted in December this year. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The tournament in two years' time has been expanded to include 24 teams, with all of the qualified teams to be confirmed before the draw takes place. All of the qualified teams will be seeded based on their rankings at the end of this year's decisive autumn series, and with the competition comprising six pools of four teams, the seeding bands are broken down by every six teams. That means the top six teams in the world would be top seeds for the tournament, with those between 7th and 12th in the second banding of seeds and so on. Wales being outside of the global top 12 by the end of the autumn would likely prove disastrous, therefore, as they would be set to drawn in a 'pool of death' for the 2027 tournament with two of the world's top teams. The win over Japan, however, means that they head into their autumn international campaign in 12th place, just 0.64 ranking points behind Georgia and 1.57 ahead of Samoa. Wales could have dropped to 13th place had the Samoans recorded a shock victory over Scotland last weekend, but Gregor Townsend's side eased to a 12-41 win as they bounced back from their painful defeat to Fiji. A tough run of games now awaits Wales in the autumn, with three of the world's top seven sides - Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa - all heading to Cardiff, while a third clash with Japan is also part of the schedule. While it will depend on results elsewhere, a single win in the autumn could well be enough for Wales to remain in the world's top 12 teams and head into the next Rugby World Cup in the second banding of seeds. Elsewhere in the new world rankings, New Zealand have moved within 0.72 ranking points of top spot, with their 29-19 win over France seeing them edge closer to the number one spot currently occupied by South Africa. Defeat to the All Blacks has seen the French fall away from the global top three and closer to fifth-placed England, who now trail them by just 0.18 ranking points, while Scotland remain in eighth but move closer to Argentina in seventh after beating Samoa. Spain and Chile have also had ranking point boosts but the only positional changes come further down the table, with Zimbabwe moving ahead of Canada after qualifying for their first Rugby World Cup since 1991, and the Netherlands leapfrogging Namibia. The latest World Rugby rankings (July 21) 1South Africa 92.782New Zealand 92.06 (+0.34) 3Ireland 89.834France 87.82 (-0.34) 5England 87.646Australia 82.087Argentina 82.058Scotland 81.57 (+0.20) 9Fiji 80.5010Italy 77.7711Georgia 74.6912Wales 74.0513Samoa 72.48 (-0.20) 14Japan 72.2915Spain 69.12 (+0.20) 16USA 68.4517Uruguay 67.5218Portugal 66.4419Tonga 65.4620Chile 63.83 (+0.63) 21Romania 62.6722Belgium 61.2023Hong Kong China 59.9824 (↑26) Zimbabwe 58.80 (+1.01) 25 (↓24) Canada 57.75 (-0.20) 26 (↑27) Netherlands 57.0127 (↓25) Namibia 56.86 (-1.01) 28Brazil 55.90 (-0.63) 29Switzerland 55.2630Poland 54.06
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Steve Tandy backed to get Wales competing with top nations again
Tandy has left his role as Scotland defence coach – a position he has held since 2019 – to fill a vacancy created by Warren Gatland's departure in February. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has been in interim charge since and oversaw the end of Wales' 18-game losing streak – a record for a Tier One nation – in Japan earlier this month with a second Test victory over the Brave Blossoms. But Wales have turned to 45-year-old Tandy, who previously coached at Ospreys and Australian Super Rugby side Waratahs, to arrest a slide that has seen them finish bottom of the last two Six Nations Championships and plummet down the world rankings to 12th. 🚨 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮 🏴 The WRU is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Tandy as the new Head Coach of the men's senior national side. 🤝#CymruAmByth — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 21, 2025 'Steve is an outstanding coach,' said Welsh Rugby Union director of rugby Dave Reddin, who revealed the interview process had initially mapped out around 130 coaches worldwide before being filtered down. 'I think his coaching journey shows someone that has been unafraid to really push himself into some uncomfortable experiences and really challenge the way that he was operating as a coach and develop as a result. 'As a proud Welshman it's the job he's wanted to move for. I know he'll be very missed by Scotland, he was a valued member of staff there and I'm delighted we've managed to secure his services. 'Are Wales going to be consistently ranked as the number one team in the world for the next 10 years? No, I don't think so. 'But can we be a real, genuine, top five nation who are constantly competing for Six Nations titles, who are capable of mixing it with the best in the world? 100 per cent. Matt Sherratt was in interim charge of Wales (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I don't think anybody gets inspired by a team that says, 'well, we're going to rock up and do our best'. 'Especially a passionate rugby nation like Wales, I think we've got to be more ambitious than that.' Tandy, from Tonmawr between Neath and Port Talbot, becomes the first Welsh head coach of the men's national team since Gareth Jenkins nearly two decades ago. New Zealanders Gatland and Wayne Pivac have held the reins on a permanent basis since 2007 – and Reddin believes Tandy's background is a 'bonus'. He said: 'It will make a difference in how he's perceived – positive and negative. I'm conscious as a proud Welshman he's going to feel the responsibility of that. 🏴 Hear from Director of Rugby & Elite Performance Dave Reddin on today's appointment of Steve Tandy as the new Wales Head Coach 🤝👇 #CymruAmByth — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 21, 2025 'That wasn't part of the decision making process. It's a bonus that he's Welsh and I hope everyone will be kind to him because of that. 'On the surface it's great to have someone who has a natural affinity with their country. Ultimately that only goes so far, as it's about performances and the philosophy matching the expectations of the national public and what they want to see from their rugby team. 'They are the things that matter most and the Welsh side of things come after that. 'But if you looked at something that was ideal, to find the best coach and that they are Welsh, that's a perfect answer.' Tandy begins his tenure on September 1 and is set to lead Wales into the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Reddin said Tandy's backroom team would be finalised over the coming weeks and has not ruled retaining some current staff members.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Steve Tandy backed to get Wales competing with top nations again
Steve Tandy has been championed to restore Welsh pride on the international stage after signing a three-year deal as Wales head coach. Tandy has left his role as Scotland defence coach – a position he has held since 2019 – to fill a vacancy created by Warren Gatland's departure in February. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has been in interim charge since and oversaw the end of Wales' 18-game losing streak – a record for a Tier One nation – in Japan earlier this month with a second Test victory over the Brave Blossoms. But Wales have turned to 45-year-old Tandy, who previously coached at Ospreys and Australian Super Rugby side Waratahs, to arrest a slide that has seen them finish bottom of the last two Six Nations Championships and plummet down the world rankings to 12th. 'Steve is an outstanding coach,' said Welsh Rugby Union director of rugby Dave Reddin, who revealed the interview process had initially mapped out around 130 coaches worldwide before being filtered down. 'I think his coaching journey shows someone that has been unafraid to really push himself into some uncomfortable experiences and really challenge the way that he was operating as a coach and develop as a result. 'As a proud Welshman it's the job he's wanted to move for. I know he'll be very missed by Scotland, he was a valued member of staff there and I'm delighted we've managed to secure his services. 'Are Wales going to be consistently ranked as the number one team in the world for the next 10 years? No, I don't think so. 'But can we be a real, genuine, top five nation who are constantly competing for Six Nations titles, who are capable of mixing it with the best in the world? 100 per cent. 'Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I don't think anybody gets inspired by a team that says, 'well, we're going to rock up and do our best'. 'Especially a passionate rugby nation like Wales, I think we've got to be more ambitious than that.' Tandy, from Tonmawr between Neath and Port Talbot, becomes the first Welsh head coach of the men's national team since Gareth Jenkins nearly two decades ago. New Zealanders Gatland and Wayne Pivac have held the reins on a permanent basis since 2007 – and Reddin believes Tandy's background is a 'bonus'. He said: 'It will make a difference in how he's perceived – positive and negative. I'm conscious as a proud Welshman he's going to feel the responsibility of that. 'That wasn't part of the decision making process. It's a bonus that he's Welsh and I hope everyone will be kind to him because of that. 'On the surface it's great to have someone who has a natural affinity with their country. Ultimately that only goes so far, as it's about performances and the philosophy matching the expectations of the national public and what they want to see from their rugby team. 'They are the things that matter most and the Welsh side of things come after that. 'But if you looked at something that was ideal, to find the best coach and that they are Welsh, that's a perfect answer.' Tandy begins his tenure on September 1 and is set to lead Wales into the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Reddin said Tandy's backroom team would be finalised over the coming weeks and has not ruled retaining some current staff members.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Steve Tandy backed to get Wales competing with top nations again
Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has been in interim charge since and oversaw the end of Wales' 18-game losing streak – a record for a Tier One nation – in Japan earlier this month with a second Test victory over the Brave Blossoms. But Wales have turned to 45-year-old Tandy, who previously coached at Ospreys and Australian Super Rugby side Waratahs, to arrest a slide that has seen them finish bottom of the last two Six Nations Championships and plummet down the world rankings to 12th. 🚨 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮 🏴 The WRU is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Tandy as the new Head Coach of the men's senior national side. 🤝#CymruAmByth — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 21, 2025 'Steve is an outstanding coach,' said Welsh Rugby Union director of rugby Dave Reddin, who revealed the interview process had initially mapped out around 130 coaches worldwide before being filtered down. 'I think his coaching journey shows someone that has been unafraid to really push himself into some uncomfortable experiences and really challenge the way that he was operating as a coach and develop as a result. 'As a proud Welshman it's the job he's wanted to move for. I know he'll be very missed by Scotland, he was a valued member of staff there and I'm delighted we've managed to secure his services. 'Are Wales going to be consistently ranked as the number one team in the world for the next 10 years? No, I don't think so. 'But can we be a real, genuine, top five nation who are constantly competing for Six Nations titles, who are capable of mixing it with the best in the world? 100 per cent. Matt Sherratt was in interim charge of Wales (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I don't think anybody gets inspired by a team that says, 'well, we're going to rock up and do our best'. 'Especially a passionate rugby nation like Wales, I think we've got to be more ambitious than that.' Tandy, from Tonmawr between Neath and Port Talbot, becomes the first Welsh head coach of the men's national team since Gareth Jenkins nearly two decades ago. New Zealanders Gatland and Wayne Pivac have held the reins on a permanent basis since 2007 – and Reddin believes Tandy's background is a 'bonus'. He said: 'It will make a difference in how he's perceived – positive and negative. I'm conscious as a proud Welshman he's going to feel the responsibility of that. 🏴 Hear from Director of Rugby & Elite Performance Dave Reddin on today's appointment of Steve Tandy as the new Wales Head Coach 🤝👇 #CymruAmByth — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 21, 2025 'That wasn't part of the decision making process. It's a bonus that he's Welsh and I hope everyone will be kind to him because of that. 'On the surface it's great to have someone who has a natural affinity with their country. Ultimately that only goes so far, as it's about performances and the philosophy matching the expectations of the national public and what they want to see from their rugby team. 'They are the things that matter most and the Welsh side of things come after that. 'But if you looked at something that was ideal, to find the best coach and that they are Welsh, that's a perfect answer.' Tandy begins his tenure on September 1 and is set to lead Wales into the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Reddin said Tandy's backroom team would be finalised over the coming weeks and has not ruled retaining some current staff members.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Tandy named coach of struggling Wales
July 21 (Reuters) - Steve Tandy has been appointed to lead Wales to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Wales Rugby Union (WRU) said on Monday, tasked with revitalising a side who sunk to a record low in the world rankings this month. The former Scotland defence coach and British and Irish Lions assistant coach will take charge from September 1, as Wales prepare for November's Autumn International series, when they face New Zealand, world champions South Africa, Argentina and Japan. They had slipped to 14th in the rankings before beating Japan to end an 18-game winless run. "Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege," Tandy said in a statement. "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. "I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have." Wales appointed Matt Sherratt as interim coach following the exit of Warren Gatland during this year's Six Nations, but he always said he was not interested in the job on a permanent basis. "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," Welsh Rugby CEO Abi Tierney said. "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."
