The Wales-Scotland match that stirred passions for man in spotlight this weekend

Trailing 27-0 early in the second half, they ran in four unanswered tries to move within a point of the Scots. With each successive score the decibel level in the Principality Stadium moved up a notch as supporters starved of success sensed something special was happening.

It wasn’t to be. Scotland regrouped, saw out the game and escaped from Cardiff with the narrowest of victories, 27-26.

For Steve Tandy, the atmosphere in the ground that day “lit something in him”. He was then Scotland’s defence coach, a trusted lieutenant of Gregor Townsend. This Saturday he will be in the opposite coaching box at the Principality, pitting his wits against Townsend as Scotland look to build on their stunning win over England.

For a proud Welshman there is no bigger honour than leading his team into battle and the new Wales head coach said the 2024 game brought home to him just how passionate his countrymen are about the sport, even in these lean times.

“There were moments when I was with Scotland...we won that 27-26 game,” recalled Tandy. “I think when the crowd in Wales, probably around that 50-55 minutes mark... that's probably the first time of going back to Wales where I felt, ‘oh my God this is something different’.

“And that probably lit something up in me. But then you see the New Zealand game for us [in November], the start and then for 50 minutes, what that meant to the nation. The crowd have been unbelievable, the support we've had. Again, I know there's lots going on in Wales, but the feeling I get is the support for the players, for the team is still as big as it was before.”

Tandy’s tough Wales beginning

Tandy, 46, took over in September, stepping away from Scotland after almost six years as their defence expert. He ended Wales’ long losing run with a 24-23 win over Japan in November then watched his side compete with the All Blacks a week later before falling away. There have been tough results since and all manner of off-field strife but Tandy will fancy his chances against a Scottish team he knows inside out.

“It'll be different,” he said of facing his former employers. “But I suppose in a weird way it was no different when I was going back to Wales to play. That was probably the most nervous I got when I was with Scotland.

“As a competitive sportsman, I always wanted to win. Whether it's with Scotland going to Wales or wherever, I want to win games. It'll be no different.

“I've got loads of amazing friends and unbelievable connections with the players. For the last six years, I've been on journeys with lots of those players. But for me, when it comes to it being a special day, it's a day we definitely want to win.”

He credits Townsend with helping him develop as a coach and takes pride in the players' progress.

“That's been the brilliant thing with Scotland, getting to know the boys and seeing their development as well. Starting to come into the environment, then going on to be British and Irish Lions. That's been part of my journey and my story that has helped me develop. I've got special bonds with lots of people from Scotland. I'm starting to build new bonds and amazing bonds with the Welsh players and the Welsh coaches, which is exciting. I'm excited at where that can go.”