Tandy gets some assistance in Wales
NEWS: Danny Wilson has been appointed as assistant coach to Steve Tandy, ahead of the Wales’ year-end Tests.
The Harlequins head coach was seconded to Wales for the two Tests against Japan in July and will now return to take responsibility for line-out and contact areas on a permanent, full-time basis.
Tandy, whose first match at the Wales helm will see Argentina visit Cardiff for the first time in three years on November 9, previously worked with Wilson in Scotland’s backroom team during the 2019/20 international season.
Wilson joined Harlequins in July 2023 and during his tenure he guided the club to their first-ever Champions Cup semifinal appearance.
His coaching CV includes lifting the 2017/18 Challenge Cup title with Cardiff, reaching a World Rugby U20 Championship final with Wales U20s and coaching Scotland men’s forwards from 2018-2020. Wilson was also head coach at Glasgow Warriors before joining Leicester Tigers in January 2023 as a part-time consultant for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
Tandy said: “I’m delighted to welcome Danny to the team on a permanent basis. I’ve worked with him before when we were both with Scotland, and also during his time at Glasgow Warriors, and he is an outstanding coach.
“This is a really exciting time and I’m grateful to Danny for accepting the challenge to share in this experience. We can’t wait to get started together preparing for the autumn.”
Wales face Japan the weekend after the Pumas visit Cardiff, before New Zealand and then World Champions South Africa visit the Welsh capital.
Speaking about his appointment Wilson added: “This has been a really tough decision for me to make as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Quins, but the chance to join Wales and return to international rugby was simply too good an opportunity to turn down.
“Having the opportunity to experience international rugby again for the interim period with Wales this summer in Japan was a huge honour. I’m delighted to be able to return on a permanent basis and to be able to work again with Steve and this exciting group of young players.”
Wilson will lead Harlequins for the final time in Friday night’s PREM Rugby Cup fixture away to Newcastle Red Bulls, before commencing his role at the WRU.
WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin said: “Danny is a great addition to our coaching team and brings a skill set which is very complementary to Steve’s. I’m excited to see the focus and detail he will bring to the role and the positive impact he will have on our game.
“We continue to work systematically to recruit Steve’s assistants to form the platform for the long-term success of the men’s national squad.”
