Spring in Steve’s step with Six Nations off and running

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Scotland Defence Coach Steve Tandy during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on November 02, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Matt Fagerson was the latest to raise his bat in reaching a half century for his country in the November win over Australia, to join the likes of brother Zander, Finn Russell, Grant Gilchrist, Blair Kinghorn and the recently-returning Jonny Gray in having posted 50 matches in dark blue.

With a number of others hovering in and around the 40-cap mark, the wave of Scots who are now well-gnarled international players is impressive – and defence coach Steve Tandy has been a part of the journey for most.

Having taken up the role in January 2020, Tandy is now into a sixth Six Nations campaign as part of a Scotland back-room team who themselves are not shy of a Test or two as a coaching unit.

For the 44-year-old Welshman, the ability to witness his charges growing has been a privilege: “That’s probably the best part of it, seeing them develop as rugby players but as human beings as well,” he said.

“They’ve been brilliant to work with, I love being a part of it with the boys and you get really close to them. It gives you massive pride in what they’re doing, they’re great people but also outstanding rugby players. I’ve been very lucky to have been with Scotland for that time, to see them grow on and off the field.”

And it keeps the coach feeling, if not by his own admission looking, young: “I don’t look any younger! But it definitely mentally keeps you younger. I’ve got three daughters in the house who keep me young, and then I’ve got all the boys in camp to do that. You have a lot of fun along the way as well, we’ve had some high moments but you learn a lot through not getting what you want; a result or a performance and how they respond to get better.”

Pictured: Steve Tandy is now into a sixth Guinness Six Nations as part of the Scotland coaching ticket

It’s that drive to want to improve, one that permeates through both coaches and players, that Tandy says Scotland will take from the November Tests into the blood and thunder of the Guinness Six Nations: “We really enjoyed the Autumn campaign, winning three games with lots of players involved,” he said. The South Africa game, we were disappointed with the result. We were really pleased with large aspects of our game but ultimately you want to win and we believe we’ve got the game to do that. There was lots to like but we want to grow and be better.”

In charge of keeping teams from ticking scoreboards over, Tandy says is calling was always going to have something to do with the structures of defence, explaining: “It probably goes well with my personality! I was head coach at Ospreys and I enjoy all aspects of the game, but I do love the defensive side of it and I enjoy attacks and seeing what they’re trying to do to manipulate defences.

“It’s always about stopping teams scoring points but also you have to evolve based on new attacks, on law interpretations – that’s probably a really big one – but your identity is what you fall back on. The defensive principles don’t change and the more experienced the players get, they learn to deal with situations so much better as they go along.”

Like any Scot [and of course Steve is an honorary one], the Six Nations is where memories stem from, as he explained: “As a championship, it’s the premier competition outside the World Cup. My memories as a kid, watching on tv, everything revolved around the Six Nations.

“I remember going to games, it was huge and being part of it now is unbelievable, to see the crowds. All the grounds and anthems are special but in fairness, you look at Scotland and the support we get when the bus arrives, how the players respond to the supporters and vice versa.”

That connection that the squad feel with Scotland supporters, both in attendance at Scottish Gas Murrayfield and across the diaspora, is a major part of what drives the team on, which is why Steve feels the side are so desperate to do well.

“The boys are really focused,” he added. “It’s one of the toughest tournaments in the world if you look at the teams we’re up against. They’re class outfits, the other teams are stacked as well but we’re really focused on ourselves, we have an outstanding group of people who are desperate to put in performances for Scotland.”

His sixth experience of the rollercoaster of emotions that is the Guinness Six Nations, and Steve Tandy will be as proud as the host of half-century makers should it be the most memorable one yet.

Feeling the love: Steve is proud of the bond he has with players and watching them grow on and off the pitch