![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_JS239269382.jpg\")
Steve Tandy (Image: INPHO\/Dan Sheridan)<\/p>\nThe WRU will announce the Warren Gatland’s successor in the near futureSteve Tandy (Image: INPHO\/Dan Sheridan)<\/p>\n
Steve Tandy is still in the mix to be the new Wales head coach despite Scotland boss Gregor Townsend insisting his right-hand man is going nowhere.<\/p>\n
Tandy has been a contender throughout the process and is admired within the upper echelons of the Welsh Rugby Union. The 45-year-old is currently defence coach of Scotland, where he has done an impressive job for the past six years.<\/p>\n
Townsend was categoric on Tandy’s future last week, insisting he is “going nowhere” and branding the links as simply media speculation.<\/p>\n
But despite Townsend’s protestations, WalesOnline understands Tandy does remains a leading contender to succeed Warren Gatland<\/a>, with senior figures impressed by his credentials and views on the game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.<\/a><\/p>\n The WRU’s new director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin has put his own stamp on the search for a head coach and no decision has been made yet.<\/p>\n But Tandy is in the mix, while Ireland’s Simon Easterby and Glasgow’s Franco Smith have also been heavily linked with the job.<\/p>\n Tandy has plenty of experience having previously been head coach of the Ospreys<\/a> while has has also been in charge of the defence at Australian Super Rugby outfit the Waratahs.<\/p>\n After a few years at Scotland Tandy was included in Gatland’s backroom team for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021.<\/p>\n But there are also other candidates for the role, with the likes of Easterby and Smith boasting strong track records.<\/p>\n A coaching team of Matt Sherratt, Danny Wilson, Leigh Halfpenny, Adam Jones and T. Rhys Thomas will take Wales to Japan this summer on an interim basis.<\/p>\n