The Wales coach only started his new role days ago
14:58, 10 Sep 2025Updated 14:58, 10 Sep 2025
Prince William shares a joke with Wales’ Steve Tandy and Jac Morgan(Image: WalesOnline)
Prince William’s parting message to new Wales head coach Steve Tandy and captain Jac Morgan during a visit to the Principality Stadium speaks volumes about the importance of the pair as the game enters a new era in the country.
The royal, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, made his feelings known during an engagement at the home of Welsh rugby on Wednesday (September 10). You can follow live updates here.
William was visiting a newly established mental health hub at the stadium in the city on World Suicide Prevention Day. The service was set up by the Jac Lewis Foundation in memory of Jac Lewis, a well-liked footballer from Ammanford who took his own life in February 2019 at the age of 27. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
As well as speaking with Mr Lewis’ friends and family, the Prince also spoke with members of the Welsh Rugby Union, along with Tandy and Morgan about the role sport plays in communities and how their spaces, platforms and influence can be utilised to support the mental wellbeing of players and fans.
Although most of the conversations were centred on the importance of speaking about mental health, William also made a parting comment about Welsh rugby to Tandy and Morgan as he left.
After a conversation with Morgan about the importance of opening up to team-mates, William turned to say goodbye to the new head coach before saying: “Good luck, we need you.”
The pair laughed and before Will looked to Morgan and said “We really need you too!” Don’t miss a rugby story, sign up for our newsletter
Prince William sat down with members of the WRU and Swansea City FC, as well as meeting with representatives of the Jac Lewis Foundation (Image: Getty Images)
William also checked that the Wales captain had returned from the Lions tour injury-free, which he confirmed he had.
Morgan, who also represents the Ospreys, was one of just two Welshmen included in the Lions’ three-Test trip Down Under this summer.
They returned as 2-1 winners, with Morgan playing a vital role in the second and third Test matches against the Wallabies.
Tandy only officially started the job as head coach at the start of September but is already facing pressure to help sort out a rugby nation in crisis mode.
Wales only recently broke an 18-Test losing streak, winning in the second Test against Japan in the Far East earlier on this summer.
Welsh rugby currently stands on the brink, with a period of consultation currently under way to find the best way forward for the game in Wales.
The WRU’s optimal structure would see the four regions reduced to two.
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