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The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed the appointment of Steve Tandy as their next permanent men's head coach.
Tandy will join from Scotland, where he is currently in charge of their defence, on September 1 and will lead Wales at the 2027 World Cup.
It ends a long-running Wales coaching search.
Warren Gatland departed the role midway through this year's Six Nations, with Matt Sherratt taking on the role on an interim basis.
'Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege,' said Tandy. 'I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world.
'I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have. The autumn fixtures represent a huge opportunity and gives us a chance to test ourselves against some of the best teams in world rugby.'
Steve Tandy has been announced as Wales' new head coach and will begin on September 1
Tandy continued: ‘I have loved my time with Scotland and it is a really tough decision to leave. ‘I have built up a great relationship with the players and management within the national team and I am proud of the progress achieved since I joined.
'Not only have I loved my time in Scotland, but also the way everyone welcomed my family and made them feel at home has been amazing and will be something I’ll never forget.
'The chance to manage the Welsh national team was an opportunity I was unable to turn down, but I leave with a heavy heart and would like to thank everyone I have worked with at Scottish Rugby who have made my time here so memorable.’
Welsh rugby has been through a seismic two years on and off the field and more change is likely with the WRU set to cut the number of its professional teams from four to two.
The national side went on a run of 18 Tests without a win - a sequence that only ended with a victory over Japan earlier this month.
But getting Tandy in place in time for the country's November matches does, at last, provide some degree of stability on the national squad's playing front.
It is Tandy's first international job as a head coach.
The 45-year-old, who was born in Tonmawr, knows Welsh rugby well.
Not only is he from Wales, but he had a six-year spell in charge of the country's club side Ospreys.
He has also worked in Australia with the Waratahs, was an assistant coach with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021, and has been part of a much improved Scotland side.
'We are delighted to appoint Steve as the new Wales head coach,' said WRU chief executive Abi Tierney.
Tandy is the current defence coach of Scotland - helping them raise their level significantly
'After a thorough and detailed appointment process, Steve emerged as the standout candidate and we know we have secured the very best coach for the job.
'This is a keystone appointment for us and an integral part of our five-year strategy as we look to achieve sustainable success for our senior men's side.
'Steve fits the bill in terms of the affinity he will be able to create with a young group of players with huge potential, but also the galvanising effect we know he can have on the whole rugby ecosystem as a proud Welshman.
'Our task now is to ensure Steve has the support and resources he needs to succeed in this role.'
Tandy played for Bridgend and Neath as a flanker and made over 100 appearances for the Ospreys before converting to coaching full-time.
WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin added: 'Steve's coaching journey and the approach he has taken to his own learning and development since leaving the Ospreys really impressed us during the interview process.
'He embodies the collaborative and systematic approach to building success that I want to instill across our high-performance system
'Steve is an excellent coach with the motivation and curiosity to continue to learn and develop very much a part of his DNA.
'These are hugely important characteristics for everyone in our system.
'He brings a wealth of experience, a unique understanding of Wales and the young talent we have at our disposal and a huge amount of passion and desire to excel in the role.
'Steve is a vital part of the future strategy for success in Welsh rugby and I will ensure he has the space, time and support to realise the potential of the exciting group of players he will have at his disposal.'
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: ;We’re sorry to see Steve go because he’s had a really positive influence on Scottish Rugby.
'He has helped me massively in my role and he’s been someone I’ve leaned on for advice. We’ve worked together on various ways of improving the environment and the team over the years.
'It’ll be sad not having him with us but it’s also a massive honour for him to become the head coach of his home country.
'It’s very deserved as he’s an excellent coach with varied experiences including international rugby for the last five years and we wish him all the best.'
