Friends reunited as Tandy prepares to face Scotland

Wales head coach Steve Tandy is looking forward to reunite with his old Scotland friends at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Tandy spent almost six years as the Scottish defence coach before taking over the Wales job in September 2025.

"Every game is emotional, and I've got a lot of friends and players who I've gone through a lot with after six years of coaching them," said Tandy.

"I'm grateful for that time in Scotland – the people, the fans, everything was outstanding.

"It will be a huge game for me, but no different to any other game we want to win.

"We want to put a performance in and it will be a special day because there are a lot of amazing memories from Scotland.

"We are ready to create memories in Wales now. It's my home nation so it has the potential to be even better."

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend will be preparing his team to face a struggling Wales side but Tandy accepts there will be a familiarity on both sides.

"They know a lot about me and I know a lot about the coaching staff," said Tandy.

"They were amazing and we went through a lot with World Cups and amazing moments in the Six Nations.

"They know how I go about things too but it's probably a case of not overthinking it and delving into too much detail, because you can out-think yourself."

Instead of working for Townsend, this time Tandy will be in direct opposition to his former boss.

"It'll be great to see him after the game," said Townsend.

"We've been sharing messages, not many this week, but in the first couple of games.

"We think very fondly of Steve. He spent a long time with us, so he's been a big influence on our players.

"He was a massive help to me as a coach, and I'm sure after the game, whatever the result, we can have a few beers in the changing room."

Tandy added: "It'll definitely be different!"

"He was brilliant for me, taught me lots about international rugby, encouraged me to be better and helped my growth and development.

"He pushed me to be out of my comfort zone and I feel your best growth comes when you get uncomfortable."

It has been uncomfortable so far for Tandy in his new role.

In his six games in charge, Wales have lost five and conceded 302 points and 42 tries.

So what are his expectations for his home country against the nation that gave him his international break?

"The expectation is to be better than we were last week," said Tandy.

"We understand how good Scotland are as well, they beat England comfortably and should have beaten the All Blacks.

"It's there in black and white, we've only won two games in 25 so it's not going to come with a click of a finger.

"We believe in this group and if we are better than we were last week, I think will get closer to where we want to be."

Scotland bounced back from defeat in Italy to sweep aside England 31-20 in last weekend's Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.

It was a fifth win in six games for the Scots against the English but they have had problems backing that up in recent years.

"Seeing them become the team they are is pleasing, and seeing them beating England was good," said Tandy.

"Any international sport when you win, there's an emotional high after what goes into the game.

"Scotland are a pretty experienced team. They've gone through those moments and I feel they've backed up games as well.

"The England game has always been huge for them. They have lost games where they had beaten England before, but they're aware of it and talking about it.

"I don't think that's a major issue for them."

Wales have lost 23 out of their previous 25 Tests with 13 successive losses in the Six Nations.

They have not won a Six Nations home game since beating Scotland in February 2022, when Tandy was the visiting defence coach.

Since that day, Wales have suffered 10 successive defeats in the tournament at the Principality Stadium.

The closest they have come to a Six Nations win in Cardiff was two years ago against Scotland when the hosts came back from 27-0 before agonisingly losing 27-26.

Tandy was again in the Scottish coaching box that day and has vivid memories of the game in February 2024 as Scotland achieved a first win in Cardiff for 22 years.

"That game, when we were at 27-0. I remember being in that Scotland dressing room, and then once something clicked into gear, then everything changed," said Tandy.

"The crowd changed - everything changed.

"Scotland, at the time, had two or three yellow cards in that game, which shifted the momentum of the game completely."

Tandy will be hoping this weekend it will be his new side that are victorious.