CARDIFF, Wales (AP) \u2014 Wales\u2019 troubled men\u2019s rugby team finally has a new coach, with Steve Tandy hired through the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n
The appointment was announced on Monday, with the Wales-born Tandy having just completed a southern hemisphere tour with Scotland as part of its coaching staff. He\u2019ll start on Sept. 1.<\/p>\n
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Tandy is the full-time replacement for Warren Gatland, who left his second spell as Wales coach midway through the Six Nations in February. Gatland\u2019s departure came during a national-record 18-test losing run by Wales, the worst ever streak by a top-tier rugby nation. That losing run came to an end this month with a win in Japan.<\/p>\n
Last weekend, the British and Irish Lions \u2014 touring Down Under \u2014 played a test against one of the southern hemisphere giants Australia, New Zealand and South Africa without a Welshman in the squad for the first time since 1896.<\/p>\n
Tandy has coached Welsh team Ospreys for six years and at Australian Super Rugby team NSW Waratahs.<\/p>\n
Abi Tierney, chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, believes Tandy can bring the good times back to a once-proud rugby nation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis 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\u2019s side,\u201d Tierney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSteve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanizing effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman.\u201d<\/p>\n
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