He is rooted in the best traditions of our national game, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Jimmy, and father, Peter, in playing for his home village team, Tonmawr – his parents still live in the village.
Jimmy, a flying wing, also played for Neath, which was Steve’s first professional club as a player, while his father, a back row man, also coached Tonmawr after hanging up his boots.
Peter was coach to the side that won the Welsh Brewers Cup at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park in 1986. Steve went with the team and walked on to the pitch as their mascot.
One of his brothers, Kevin, another back row forward, also played and coached at the club, while his nephew, Elliott, a hooker who often plays in the back row, was named as captain last season. He will continue to lead the team into Division 3 West Central this winter.
Having graduated through the age ranks at Tonmawr, Steve played Youth and Senior rugby for the club. He also played at Neath Tertiary College, and earned selection for the Wales Youth President’s XV.
Former Wales coach Ron Waldron then scouted him for Neath, where he initially played for the U21 side before taking over from Brett Sinkinson in the No 7 jersey. He went on to play 74 games for Neath, including an appearance as a replacement in the 2003 Celtic Cup final against Munster at the then Millennium, now Principality, Stadium.
When the game went regional, he joined the Ospreys during their ‘Galacticos’ era. He made 102 appearances for them between 2003-2010 before completing his playing days at Bridgend as player/coach.
His coaching career began back at his home club in 2008, when he took charge of the Tonmawr Dragons, the 2nd XV. He helped them win the Percy Howell’s Districts Cup representing their district en masse as a club side.
He also coached the Ospreys U16 team, steering them to the WRU Regional Age Grade title in 2010, and guided Bridgend Ravens back into the Welsh Premiership in 2011 by not only securing the WRU Division 1 West crown, but also beating Glamorgan Wanderers in the play-off match to secure top-tier status.
He didn’t play in the 2011-12 campaign and then left the Brewery Field in February 2012 when CEO Andrew Hore installed him as head coach at the Ospreys. He came in as coach Sean Holley and director of rugby Scott Johnson left the region.
He had been given the task of acting as head coach for the LV= Cup matches at the Ospreys alongside his Bridgend duties before stepping into the hot seat at the age of 32. His first game in charge was on 17 February at the then Liberty Stadium in a 23-7 win over Aironi.
He successfully steered the Ospreys to a stunning Magners League Grand Final success against Leinster in Dublin in 2012 at the end of the season, having beaten the same side in Round 18 and taken out Munster in the semi-finals, 45-10.
He guided them to two more semi-finals, losing out to Munster at Thomond Park in both 2015 and 2017. During his near six-year stint at the Ospreys he was in charge of 192 matches in all tournaments, winning 102 for a 53% success rate.
He left the region after seeing his side lose to ASM Clermont Auvergne in the final round of Champions Cup pool matches on 22 January 2018. It wasn’t long, though, before he was back in business, following Hore, who had become CEO at the Waratahs in 2016, to Sydney to take over as the defence coach working under Daryl Gibson at the Super Rugby side.
It was a massive change in lifestyle, as well as being a new rugby environment, but he made great strides with his new team as their defensive system was likened to a ‘Blue Wall’. That led to him being offered the job as the Scotland defence coach in December 2019, working alongside Gregor Townsend.
In his first Six Nations campaign in 2020 the Scots had the best defensive record in the championship. They were joint top in 2021 and second best in 2024.
The Scots beat Australia and Argentina twice, England, France and Wales four times each during his time working with the team. He was also involved with them at the 2023 World Cup in France.
In 2021, Warren Gatland picked him as his defence coach to work with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa. The Lions won the first Test but were pipped 2-1 in the series in the end during the Covid period.
Now he is heading to Wales to use his global experience to rebuild the senior men’s national team.
WHAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN SAYING ABOUT STEVE TANDY
Ian Gough – ex-teammate at the Ospreys and Grand Slam winner
“I played with and against Steve and was coached by him when he started his coaching career and also coached with him.
“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.”
Gregor Townsend – Scotland’s head coach
“We’re sorry to see Steve go because he’s had a positive influence on Scottish rugby. 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.”
Richard Hibbard – played under Steve Tandy at the Ospreys
“Steve is great. He got thrown in at Ospreys as a coach very early on and did a fantastic job. He is the type of coach where you know he would not ask you to do anything he would not have done himself and the players relate to that.
“The boys respect his path. When it did not work out at Ospreys, he went to Australia and then Scotland so he has a multitude of experiences in different leagues. He is a Welsh guy who has earned his badges and done well everywhere he has gone.”
Kurtley Beale – NSW Waratahs player
“The best thing about Steve was one, he’s such a great bloke. He was very good to get on with and everyone respected him.
“Number two, he’s able to get guys believing in the system, and then he’s very flexible, to hear different ideas and collaborate with them.
“He’s able to make sure that the system is intact and strong and people believe in it. I think that’s why Steve Tandy is probably one of the best defence coaches in the world at the moment.”
Dave Reddin – WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance
“Steve is an excellent coach who brings a wealth of experience, a unique understanding of Wales and the young talent we have at our disposal and a huge amount of passion and desire to excel in the role.
“Steve is a vital part of the future strategy for success in Welsh rugby and I will ensure he has the space, time and support to realise the potential of the exciting group of players he will have at his disposal.”
