Welsh rugby club issue statement after tragedy and Steve Tandy reveals next step
The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Tandy has ruled out overhauling his Wales team…
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The unluckiest players in Wales today and why they weren’t selected
Steve Tandy has named his Wales squad for the Six Nations with some big names missing out on…
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The best Wales team we’re now left with as Springboks game branded ‘ridiculous’
Steve Tandy will be forced to make wholesale changes to his Wales sideMorgan Morse in Wales training(Image: Chris…
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Five takeaways as hosts steal a last-gasp victory
After a last-gasp, 24-23 victory for Wales over Japan in Cardiff on Saturday, here’s our five takeaways from…
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WRU have made mistake after mistake, poor Steve Tandy’s job just got so much harder
Friday’s news just days before the Wales squad meet up was ill-timed and insensitive to the players and…
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Ospreys blank Zebre in Bridgend to claim first URC win of the season
The region had opened with two defeats in South Africa, but tries from centre Phil Cokanasiga, number eight Morgan Morse and lock James Ratti, plus nine points from the boot of Wales fly-half Dan Edwards, secured a first win in front of a 4,519 crowd in Bridgend.
Fast start
After flanker Harri Deaves had led the side out on his 50th appearance, the Ospreys started confidently with Cokanasiga dummying his way over the try line after 15 minutes, finishing off a break from midfield partner Keiran Williams.
Moments later, Ospreys struck again from a stolen Zebre lineout. Ross Moriarty carried strongly down the left before Williams’ offload released 20‑year‑old Morse, who showed his pace to race clear for a second score.
Edwards converted both for a 14-0 lead, but Ospreys lost scrum‑half Kieran Hardy to a wrist injury before the break — a concern for new Wales coach Steve Tandy, watching from the stands.
Second half frustration
The Italians of Zebre, who had won their opening two games, offered little in attack but frustrated Ospreys after the restart.
A knock‑on denied Williams a try created by full‑back Jack Walsh, while replacement back Tom Florence failed to give a walk‑in pass to Reuben Morgan‑Williams.
Edwards stretched the lead with a penalty on 58 minutes before the versatile Ratti, switched to the back row, powered over with six minutes left. Edwards’ third conversion sealed the 24–0 scoreline, but further chances for a fourth try went begging.
Reaction and context
The result ended a run of four straight league defeats stretching back to April for Mark Jones’ side and marked a proud moment for Bridgend‑born captain Dewi Lake, who skippered the side at their temporary home.
Zebre’s miserable record in Wales continued — now 39 defeats in 41 visits — while Ospreys move on to face Glasgow Warriors next weekend. Zebre host unbeaten Stormers.
Teams
Ospreys XV:
Walsh, Kasende, P Cokanasiga, K Williams, Giles; Edwards, Hardy; G Thomas, Lake (captain), Botha, Ratti, Sutton, Moriarty, Deaves, Morse.
Replacements:
L Lloyd, Phillips, Warren, R Davies, Fender, Morgan‑Williams, Florence, Hopkins.
Zebre XV:
Montemauri, Pani, Zanon, Lucchin, Gesi; Farias, Dominguez; Buonfiglio (captain), Ribaldi, Nocera, Canali, Ortombina, Volpi, Bianchi, Ruggeri.
Replacements:
Quattrini, Hasa, Pitinari, Carrera, Locatelli, Varotto, Morisi, M Belloni.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) Assistants: Ben Connor (WRU), Aaron Parry (WRU) TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
More Ospreys news
Catch up with the latest match reports, kit launches, sponsorship deals and player updates from the region.
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Ammanford charity teams up with WRU and Royal Foundation to open mental health hub at Principality Stadium
The Jac Lewis Foundation, set up in the Carmarthenshire town in memory of local footballer Jac Lewis, will run weekly drop‑in sessions at the stadium offering free, confidential support from qualified counsellors.
The service, which opens on Wednesday 17 September, was unveiled on World Suicide Prevention Day during a visit by the WRU’s Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Expanding reach from Ammanford to the national stadium
The hub is based on the Foundation’s existing model at other sporting venues, including Swansea City AFC, and will operate one day a week for the next three years with funding from The Royal Foundation.
It forms part of the WRU’s wider player welfare strategy, complementing initiatives such as the ‘Rugby Safe’ training programme and safeguarding policies.
Jac Morgan: “A charity close to my heart”
Wales international and British & Irish Lion Jac Morgan, who grew up in the Ammanford area, attended the launch alongside Men’s Head Coach Steve Tandy.
Jac Morgan said:
“It was great to be here today for the Jac Lewis Foundation, which is expanding into Cardiff. They’ll be holding drop‑in sessions weekly at the Principality Stadium with support from both the WRU and The Royal Foundation.
The Jac Lewis Foundation was set up in Ammanford, which is where I went to school. So it’s a charity that I’ve been aware of and known for a number of years. There’s a lot of volunteers I know from that charity who were here today. It’s been great hearing the different activities and workshops they do and how much support they’ve given to people in the community.”
The Jac Lewis Foundation works to reduce stigma around mental health, provide accessible professional support, and train community wellbeing mentors.
The WRU says the new hub will be open to anyone in the rugby community or wider public seeking help.
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Steve Tandy named new Wales head coach as WRU eyes rugby rebuild
The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed Steve Tandy as the new head coach of the Wales men’s national team, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s efforts to recover from a bruising run of results and reconnect with its grassroots.
Tandy, 45, will officially take charge on 1 September, succeeding Warren Gatland, whose second tenure ended earlier this year following a Six Nations defeat to Italy. The appointment follows a record 18-match losing streak, which was finally broken with a 31–22 win over Japan in Kobe on 12 July.
Born in Tonmawr, Tandy is a familiar figure in Welsh rugby, having made over 100 appearances for the Ospreys before coaching the Swansea-based region to a PRO12 title in his first season in charge. His coaching career has since taken him to Australia’s Waratahs, Scotland’s national team, and the British and Irish Lions setup.
“Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,” said Tandy. “I’m excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have.”
Autumn tests and long-term strategy
Tandy’s first match at the helm will be against Argentina in Cardiff on 9 November, followed by fixtures against Japan, New Zealand, and world champions South Africa. He will lead Wales into the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, under a three-year contract agreed with the WRU.
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney described the appointment as a “keystone” in the Union’s five-year strategy to achieve sustainable success.
“Steve emerged as the standout candidate,” said Tierney. “He brings a galvanising effect as a proud Welshman and has the ability to connect with a young group of players with huge potential.”
A team in transition
Tandy inherits a side in flux. Wales briefly dropped to 14th in the world rankings earlier this summer — its lowest ever position — before climbing back to 12th. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt oversaw the recent tour of Japan, which included a narrow loss in Kitakyushu before the breakthrough win in Kobe.
WRU Director of Rugby Dave Reddin said Tandy’s coaching journey — which includes stints in Wales, Australia and Scotland — reflects the kind of “collaborative and systematic approach” needed to rebuild Welsh rugby.
“He brings a wealth of experience and a huge amount of passion and desire to excel in the role,” said Reddin.
Related Welsh rugby stories from Swansea Bay News
WRU may scrap half of Wales’ rugby regions in radical restructure
Published July 2025: Union considers cutting regional teams as part of a major overhaul to address financial pressures and performance concerns.
Edwards haul sees Wales survive scare to end barren run
Published July 2025: Wales finally break their 18-match losing streak with a hard-fought win over Japan, led by a standout performance from Cameron Edwards.
Political backlash as MPs show fury over WRU U-turn
Published June 2025: Westminster MPs criticise WRU’s reversal on governance reforms, raising questions about transparency and accountability in Welsh rugby.
Ospreys submit planning application for St Helen’s Stadium
Published May 2025: Swansea-based region outlines vision for a new home ground, aiming to boost match-day experience and long-term sustainability.
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