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BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Welsh rugby's ins and outs for 2025-26 season
Uncertainty remains over the future of Welsh professional rugby but four sides have been shaping their squads for the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship (URC).The season starts at the end of September and preparations are already well under way, with plenty of new recruits settling have arrived in turbulent times, with a big decision expected by October from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on whether there will be a reduction in regional teams from four to three or even of debuts will have been made by then and BBC Sport Wales rounds up the summer moves that have been agreed. Cardiff In: Dynamic back-row forward Taine Basham has left Dragons and will hope to profit from a change of environment to get back to the form that saw him starring for Wales in the 2021 autumn George Nott, who can also slot in at blindside, has followed him to the Arms Park from Rodney have brought in Ioan Lloyd from Scarlets to tussle with his former Bristol team-mate Callum Sheedy for the 10 prop Javan Sebastian, who came through at Carmarthen, and fellow tight-head Sam Wainwright, who has won four caps for Wales, arrive from Edinburgh and the Scarlets prop Ioan Emanuel and scrum-half Ieuan Davies will spend the season on loan from Gabe Hamer-Webb, Regan Grace, Rey Lee-Lo, Tinus de Beer, Rhys Litterick, Efan Daniel, Seb Davies, Thomas Young, Gwilym Bradley, Mackenzie Martin. Dragons In: Dragons have comfortably been the busiest of the Welsh sides with 13 senior signings after a miserable season when they finished bottom of the URC with just one prop Dillon Lewis will hunt a Wales recall after coming home from Harlequins, while 2021 British and Irish Lions squad loose-head Wyn Jones also arrives from the Twickenham Seb Davies, flanker Thomas Young and fly-half Tinus de Beer make the short trip from Cardiff along with number eight Mackenzie Martin, who is initially on a season-long loan after struggling for game time at the Arms Under-20s captain and flanker Harry Beddall will step up to senior rugby after switching from African tight-head prop Robert Hunt arrives from Cheetahs and well-travelled lock Levi Douglas, who is Welsh-qualified and was at Biarritz last season, joins the options in the second hope is that Tongan backs Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi will add firepower in midfield and on the wing after signing from Zebre Parma and Moana Jac Lloyd and utility back David Richards are rewarded for helping Newport to the Super Rygbi Cymru Jordan Williams, Ashton Hewitt, Harry Wilson, Scott Williams, Will Reed, Lloyd Evans, Josh Thomas, Dane Blacker, Josh Reynolds, Paula Latu, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Joe Davies, Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham, George Young. Ospreys In: The big change at Ospreys will be the eventual move to St Helen's but their statement signing was Ross destructive Wales back-rower, whose father Paul and uncle Richard played for Swansea RFC, has returned from France after leaving Dragons for Brive at the end of the 2022-23 Efan Daniel, who toured Australia with Wales last year, will hope to kick on after making the switch from signing of Australian lock Ryan Smith softens the blow of losing Adam Beard to Montpellier while scrum-half Harri Williams, who came through at Scarlets and played for Ampthill in the English Championship, arrives from club rugby in Owen Williams, Adam Beard, James Fender, Justin Tipuric, Tristan Davies. Scarlets In: Scarlets' bid to build on last season has been hit by the loss of back row Vaea Fifita but they have made some strong lock Jake Ball will add plenty of heft after reversing his his decision to retire; the 34-year-old has declared he returns from a spell in Japan in better physical homecoming of centre Joe Hawkins, whose international career was put on hold by a move from Ospreys to Exeter, adds to the midfield options and his ball-playing skills mean that he could also slot in at Dane Blacker returns to Llanelli after two seasons with Dragons and will battle for action with Gareth Davies and Archie Tristan Davies makes the short move from Ospreys while England Under-20s full-back Ioan Jones, who is Welsh-qualified, arrives from Steff Evans, Ioan Lloyd, Charlie Titcombe, Efan Jones, Sam Wainwright, Shaun Evans, Vaea Fifita, Alex Craig, Morgan Jones, Ed Scragg.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Tonmawr's Tandy destined to become Wales head coach
"It is the job he was destined to do."That was the verdict from Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney after installing Steve Tandy as the men's head has returned to Wales after a seven-year absence following coaching stints in Australia and has completed the transition from a no-nonsense flanker, who never quite managed to win a Wales cap, to leading his country off the his beloved Tonmawr to the top job in Welsh rugby. This is the Steve Tandy story. Local lad done good Tandy hails from the small village of Tonmawr, which is about four miles east of Neath. "What an achievement for a guy from Tonmawr, everyone in the area is so proud of Steve," Tonmawr club president Michael Thomas told Radio Cymru."It is a small village and the rugby club is very important to village life."It is a family club and the Tandy family has made a huge contribution to this club."His grandfather Jimmy played for the club, and for Neath."His dad, Peter, played and coached here. Steve himself played for this club and then his brother Kevin, who also coached. "And now Steve's nephew, Kevin's son Elliott, is the club captain." Playing days Tandy made the trip down the road to the Gnoll in the late 1990s where he was greeted by Lyn Jones, who was Neath's head coach between 1994 and 2003 before leading Ospreys until 2008."Steve started at Neath in 1998, and you could see he loved rugby," said Jones."He wanted to know everything. He's a serious person and enjoys the minutiae of the sport."He came to every single training session, standing next to Brett Sinkinson [former Neath and Wales flanker] waiting for his chance."One day that chance finally came."Tandy made 74 appearances for Neath before becoming a member of the Ospreys squad when the region was formed in 2003, where he played 102 games.A month after playing his final professional game in March 2010, the back-rower was appointed head coach of Bridgend, having started his coaching career with Ospreys' Under-16s and spending time helping guide secured promotion to the Welsh Premiership in his first season before he was thrust into the professional spotlight in February 2012. Strong Ospreys start Aged just 32, Tandy was appointed as head coach by Andrew Hore to replace Sean Holley, with director of rugby Scott Johnson also leaving Ospreys on the same was a baptism of fire with Tandy having to lead people he had played with and manage high-profile took things in his stride by guiding his star-studded side to the Pro12 title with Ospreys defeating reigning European champions Leinster in the Dublin Wales second row Ian Gough straddled Tandy's two rugby careers."I played with and against Steve and was coached by him when he started his coaching career and also coached with him," Gough told BBC Radio Wales."He is a proud guy and he might even manage a smile after this news, although he is not known to smile too often. "He is a good, honest bloke. He says it as it is, he is not somebody who will say something to your face and then something else behind your back. He will always front up. I am just so proud of him."Ospreys reached the league semi-finals on two more occasions during Tandy's tenure but never cracked left in January 2018 with managing director Andrew Millward "saying the decision that has been taken lightly" but "results had not been good enough and change was necessary". Friends reunited Tandy was left wondering what to do next and made his way to Australia where he linked up as defence coach with Super Rugby side was reunited with former Ospreys boss Hore who was by then chief executive of the Sydney-based director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin says Tandy's readiness to try different environments proved a factor in his appointment."His coaching journey shows someone that has been unafraid to push himself into some uncomfortable experiences and challenge the way he was operating as a coach and develop as a result," said Reddin."Particularly moving from the Ospreys to the Waratahs was a journey that caused him to re-imagine how he coached and how he thought about it."He's continued to do that throughout his career and that's an amazing quality for, our younger players particularly, to be able to see in the coach and there's still growth in everybody." Scotland success Tandy was snapped up by Scotland following the 2019 World Cup and has been there since, with a stint also with Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions side in South Africa in flanker Jac Morgan says the Scottish players in the British and Irish Lions squad were gutted to see Tandy leave their set-up and those sentiments were echoed by head coach Gregor Townsend."We're sorry to see Steve go because he's had a positive influence on Scottish rugby," said Townsend."Firstly, with the players he's worked with and developed, and secondly the work he's done with the team, turning them into one of the best defensive sides in the world. As coaches we have loved working and learning from him."He has helped me massively in my role and been someone I've leaned on for advice. "It'll be sad not having him with us anymore but I understand it's a massive honour for him to become head coach of his home country."Scotland's loss is Wales gain, although the Tandy family might need to be reminded of their allegiances once more."For the last six years if you walk around Neath, I've seen Steve's dad, Peter wearing a Scotland Rugby Union jacket," said Lyn Jones."So I'm looking forward to seeing him wearing a new red coat now!" 'Coaching at the top level' Tandy has not been a head coach at international level but his old Neath and Ospreys mentor Jones does not believe the new Wales boss will be hampered by that."Steve has the experience," said Jones."He knows what needs to be done, and would have learnt those lessons from being head coach at Bridgend and Ospreys. "He will have experience as well from being part of the Lions' coaching set up to South Africa in 2021."Gough praised Tandy's bravery in taking on the job."It is a gutsy decision by him and his family," said Gough."He has come into the hot-seat at arguably the toughest position in world rugby at the moment. "He knows the task at hand and it is a huge challenge. He is a Tonmawr boy and his family live in the area, so he will live it 24/7."
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby Dave Reddin says Welsh rugby cannot continue as it is and big decisions are needed to produce a "radically different future".The WRU is considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 governing body says it is entering a formal consultation with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even WRU has finally appointed a new head coach in Steve Tandy but Reddin says that alone will not solve the ills of Welsh rugby."I think we have to say, given where we are, that we can't continue the way we've been," said Reddin. "That would be the height of madness to think that one coaching appointment is going to change the outcome."It won't. I think we need to lean into and embrace that." The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and it was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal has been agreed by WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-owned Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been has led to the WRU stating it can no longer afford to fund four professional sides equally, which has led to the threat of a reduction in has only just started his new role but is involved, along with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney, in plans to change the structure of the game in Wales, a process which is scheduled to finish in October."I've been getting involved in that behind the scenes prior to starting because there's no more critical thing for Welsh rugby," said Reddin."We are going to consult and it is a genuine consultation. We want to talk to people."I've got a clear view of one of the options we could have going forward but the consultation process is genuine."If we sit here and think that nobody has a better idea than us then we are done from the start."That consultation will include players, it will include clubs and will include all the key stakeholders."We need to do it in a respectful and comprehensive way so that whatever the decision ends up being, everyone feels they've had a voice in that and it's something in the future they can get behind." 'We have got to make big decisions' Having come from the Scotland system of two professional sides, new head coach Tandy will be asked for his opinion on any changes but will not be directly involved in the decision-making."Steve will be consulted about his views on the direction we take but he will not be going out and talking to the regions about the future strategic proposals," said Reddin."That's my job and Abi's job, to get out there and do that piece of work."Ultimately then we've got to make a decision taking into account all of that insight that people will bring to it."I'm sure there'll be a lot of passion and emotion that comes to it as well."Reddin says tough decisions will have to be made."Ultimately we've got to assimilate all of that information and make sure that informs the decisions we take going forwardx, as difficult as they might be," said Reddin."We've got to make some big decisions if we want a radically different future."
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why Wales believe Steve Tandy is the man to lift them out of the doldrums and back into serious contenders
There were more than 100 names on the Welsh Rugby Union's list of potential successors to one of their greatest icons. And 160 days since Warren Gatland was handed his marching orders in the middle of a dismal 14-Test losing streak, Steve Tandy has won the race to be Wales' next head coach. This is the story of why they chose Tandy, and why they believe he is the man to lead them into the World Cup in just over two years' time.
North Wales Chronicle
12-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Matt Sherratt wants Wales' win against Japan ‘to be the start of something'
A hard-fought performance saw Kieran Hardy score two tries along with efforts from Josh Adams and Dan Edwards as Wales held off a second-half Japan comeback to clinch the win at the Noevir Stadium. It earned Wales their first Test win since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵22-31🏴 Buddugoliaeth ❤️🙌#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt took over as interim head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February and he hopes Saturday's win can help his successor start with a clean slate. 'A very passionate group of players and staff. There's some real talent as well,' Sherratt told a post-match press conference. 'Today is the end of a long season, but for Welsh rugby it's got to be the start of something. 'The next guy coming in – the big motivation for the group was to let whoever that is start on a level playing field without the burden of the 18 in a row around his neck. 'That was a big motivation for me coming in. The work's got to be done now with the national coaches in the regions, lets get into the regions and help develop a good young group of players.' 🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇯🇵10-21🏴 A brace from Hardy & a Josh Adams score gives us the lead at the break. #WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 12, 2025 Sherratt had overseen four of those 18 defeats coming into Saturday's contest and expressed his delight for Wales' players and staff to finally earn a win as emotions ran high at full-time. He added: 'For me, it's about the people. As I said before, I've genuinely never wanted to win a game of rugby so much. 'I'm not around it being win or loss. I'm more around I know what the group has put in – I've been around for four games, but I see what it means to them, what it means to the staff. 'I was so pleased for this group, there's not been a more deserving group that I've worked with, so it was pretty emotional. 'I had to get Gethin Jenkins to give me a slap around the face to get in check because as you'd seen, I could have easily embarrassed myself on TV.' Wales took a 21-10 lead into half-time thanks to efforts from Adams and Hardy, before Shuhei Takeuchi scored before the break. Edwards' penalty extended the visitors' advantage, but they suddenly found themselves in trouble when converted tries from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley closed the gap to two points. However, Wales were able to see the game out after a brilliant piece of individual skill from Taine Plumtree saw him fire a reverse pass into Edwards and the fly-half dived over the line to wrap up the win. Reflecting on the game, skipper Dewi Lake added: 'I'm over the moon, it's been a long time coming. 'I look back at tough results we've had over the last 18 months, couple of one-pointers, couple of two-pointers. We were probably in the driving seat last week and let it slip. 'To dig in and get the job done today is an amazing feeling.'
