Their chief executive, Alex Williamson, had done everything in his power to keep hold of the former Ospreys head coach. Scotland were desperate to keep the man from Tonmawr. In the end, the lure of coaching his country was too strong to remain in Gregor Townsend's backroom staff.

Wales’ troubled men’s rugby team finally has a new coach, with Steve Tandy hired through the 2027 World Cup. 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.

That was the verdict from Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney after installing Steve Tandy as the men's head coach. Tandy has returned to Wales after a seven-year absence following coaching stints in Australia and Scotland.