Key area neglected by Gatland could become crucial to Tandy's chances of Wales success

> Steve Tandy will need to succeed where Warren Gatland failed during his second spell as Wales coach

- BEN JAMES Rugby Writer [e-mail]

When Scotland’s players were informed of Steve Tandy's return to Wales over the weekend, apparently they were, to a man, gutted.

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.

The Wales coaching job may not be the most enticing right now. The national team have only just ended their 18-game losing run, while the game as a whole is set to undergo drastic change.

Last weekend, the Lions played a Test match without a Welshman - despite the herculean efforts of Jac Morgan here in Australia - for the first time in over a century.

We are where we are; the catchphrase of Welsh rugby right now, might soon sit below the three feathers on the jersey.

And where we are, undoubtedly, is in a state of flux.

That is where Tandy is walking into from the start of September. By no means is it an easy job.

Those within the game have long suggested, while not quite a poisoned chalice, it is absolutely a post that comes with great risk to reputation.

And, perhaps more than most, Welsh rugby as an environment has never been that forgiving of its own. Too parochial, too village, too ‘tall poppy syndrome’

You can’t be a prophet in your own land, after all. Any affiliation to Wales can be a curse.

Warren Gatland went straight into the job in 2008 with no link to the country prior and brought immediate success.

That currency still had a decent conversion rate by the end, as he was losing 20 out of 26 matches in his final spell.

But he was Gatland, the man only here to coach Wales and Wales alone, somehow more relatable to those in the clubhouse than someone else from the next village down.

Wayne Pivac came to the Scarlets and, after a while, also enjoyed success.