Steve Tandy, a former Ospreys player and coach, is currently at the helm of the Wales national rugby team as its head coach.

According to head coach Steve Tandy, the passion for rugby in Wales remains unwavering, even as the team faces the possibility of empty seats at the upcoming Six Nations match against France in Cardiff.

With thousands of tickets still available for the home games against France, Scotland, and Italy at Principality Stadium, the impact of Welsh rugby's current struggles, both on and off the field, is becoming increasingly evident.

Wales has experienced a significant slump, losing 22 of their last 24 international matches, including a record 12 consecutive defeats in the Six Nations.

Since taking over as head coach in 2025, Steve Tandy has suffered four defeats in five matches, including a 48-7 loss to England the previous weekend.

Tandy remains optimistic, stating, "Despite all the disappointment, I believe this shows we're a nation that cares deeply about rugby."

Tandy acknowledges that the team's resurgence will take time, saying, "Everyone wants us to return to the top, but that's a process that requires patience."

Although Welsh rugby is currently facing challenges, Tandy is confident that the team will bounce back, saying, "It's not in a great place right now, but I'm convinced we'll get there."

Tandy emphasizes the need for collective effort, stating, "It will take everyone – players, coaches, and supporters – working together to get us back to where we want to be as a nation."

The Welsh Rugby Union is facing a crisis, with tens of thousands of Six Nations tickets still unsold, reflecting the turmoil in Welsh rugby.

A multi-millionaire businesswoman has spoken out, describing the Welsh Rugby Union as being in a state of "civil war" and calling for the chair to step down.

A guide to the upcoming Wales vs. France Six Nations match is available, providing fans with essential information.

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Steve Tandy, the Wales coach, has urged fans to show their support by attending the match in large numbers.

The low attendance figures pose a significant financial concern for the Welsh Rugby Union, as more than 50% of its revenue comes from ticket sales for men's home internationals in Cardiff.

The lowest attendance for a Wales vs. France Six Nations match was 63,208, recorded in 2022 during a Friday night match.

Two years later, the same fixture, held on a Sunday, attracted a crowd of 71,242.

The smallest attendance at the Principality Stadium for a Six Nations match was 58,349, recorded during a match against Italy in 2002.

Wales has not won a Six Nations home match in four years, with their last victory coming against Scotland in February 2022, and their only win since then being against Italy in Rome in March 2023.

Tandy praises the Welsh fans, saying, "The fans are amazing, both in the stadium and outside, and they always want the team to do well."

Tandy notes that everyone involved with the team, including players, coaches, and fans, shares the same desire for success, saying, "We all want the nation to be the best it can be."

Tandy cautions that the team is currently in a rebuilding phase, saying, "We're in a different part of our cycle, and we need patience."

He acknowledges that every team goes through struggles, but notes that smaller nations like Wales may face a longer recovery period.

The Wales vs. France match will take place at the Principality Stadium.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 15 February, at 15:10 GMT.

Wales captain Dewi Lake will be leaving Ospreys for Gloucester next season.

Despite criticism, Tandy has retained Dewi Lake as captain and hooker for the French test, making four starting personnel changes to the team.

Tandy emphasizes the need for stability, saying, "We won't be making knee-jerk decisions, as the game is tough and we need to consider all factors."

He defends his captain, saying, "Dewi leads from the front, and people often criticize without understanding the full context."

Tandy notes that criticism of Lake's line-out performance may be unfair, as there are many factors that can affect its success.

Tandy never doubted Lake's ability to play in the upcoming match, saying, "There was never any question in my mind about Dewi playing this weekend."

Tandy condemns personal abuse of players on social media, calling it wrong.

As someone who avoids social media, Tandy says, "I only become aware of issues when people inform me."

Tandy prioritizes his family and focuses on being aware of the challenges his players face, saying, "I have young kids, and I want to be aware of what's happening to help the players."

He believes it's essential to be aware of the online discourse to support his players, saying, "I know a lot of it is ridiculous, as these are human beings we're talking about."

Tandy aims to strike a balance between being informed and shielding his players from unnecessary criticism.

He acknowledges that scrutiny comes with the territory in high-end sports like international rugby.

Tandy says he doesn't need to be told when the team underperforms, as he's aware of the expectations and is committed to honesty.

Tandy has spoken to his players about the importance of staying focused and not letting outside influences affect their performance.

Tandy emphasizes the need for the team to maintain their composure and avoid being swayed by external factors.

The team is eager to make their country proud with their performance, and they appreciate the support they receive, which is a key motivation for them to deliver their best.

According to the team's mindset, giving their all and striving for excellence is crucial whenever they don the Welsh jersey, as they aim to make a positive representation.

Wales has made adjustments to their lineup, recalling Hawkins and Cracknell ahead of their upcoming match against France.

France is set to introduce centre Brau-Boirie, who will be making his debut against Wales.

Francis, who has been recalled to the team, is looking forward to contributing to Wales' success and is enthusiastic about the opportunity.

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Bielle-Biarrey's exceptional abilities have garnered attention, with many considering him a talent of his generation, sparking interest in what makes him stand out.

Under Tandy's leadership, Wales has conceded 248 points and 34 tries in five matches, highlighting the challenges the team faces.

Tandy has been handling dual responsibilities as head coach and defence expert, a role he previously held with Scotland and the British and Irish Lions, which can be a complex task.

With the assistance of former Wales flanker Dan Lydiate in the defence area, Tandy acknowledges the weight of his current responsibilities.

Tandy's initial focus was on assembling the right team, saying, "When I first came in, it was about having the right people in the room."

Tandy expressed his passion for defence, enjoying the combination of this role with his head coaching duties.

However, he recognizes the importance of not overextending himself, constantly evaluating and reviewing the situation, which is a significant demand.

Currently, Tandy's backroom staff consists of only two permanent coaches: Danny Wilson and Matt Sherratt.

He hopes to have a defence coach in place by the time the Nations Championship begins in July.

Tandy stated that finding the right person for the defence coach position is an ongoing process, saying, "It's something we've been looking into for a while, ensuring we have the right people on our coaching team."

Initially, Tandy had Matt Sherratt and Danny Wilson join him, and they underwent a selection process.

Tandy is optimistic that they will find the right candidate for the defence coach position, which they have been exploring, and hopes to have this person in place for the upcoming campaign.