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.

Tandy is the full-time replacement for Warren Gatland, who left his second spell as Wales coach midway through the Six Nations in February. Gatland’s departure came during a national-record 18-test losing run by Wales, the worst ever streak by a top-tier rugby nation. That losing run came to an end this month with a win in Japan.

Wales have appointed Steve Tandy as their new head coach. The 45-year-old Welshman will become the permanent successor to Warren Gatland on September 1 following almost six years as Scotland 's defence coach.