Steve Tandy has flown to Australia to inspect the venues Wales will use at the Rugby World Cup 2027, with the team beginning its tournament against Zimbabwe at the Adelaide Oval on October 2. The Wales head coach made the trip on Monday and spent time at the Adelaide venue with team and operations manager Martyn Williams and head of physical performance Huw Bennett.
Tandy was taken on a tour of the Adelaide Oval by tournament officials and also watched the Adelaide Crows during their captain's run before meeting the club's coaching staff. He said the stadium was “absolutely amazing” and added that, after speaking with the Crows, the crowds they draw create “an amazing atmosphere.”
The visit was part of a wider reconnaissance mission to see the stadiums Wales will play in during the tournament and to scout potential training facilities in Australia. Tandy said he expects Welsh supporters to travel in numbers, calling Australia “an amazing spot” and saying the Welsh fans are “amazing.” He also noted that he lived in Sydney for two years, giving him some familiarity with the country that will host Wales' opening game.
Wales are preparing for a demanding start to the tournament in Adelaide before later meeting Tonga and England. The Adelaide Oval will be one of the key venues in their campaign, and the early visit allows staff to map out logistics now rather than under the pressure of next year’s schedule.
The World Cup trip landed on the same day as unrelated fixture news from the domestic game, with two Welsh derbies confirmed for the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship season ahead of the full list being released at 12pm on Tuesday. Cardiff will travel to the Scarlets on Saturday, September 26, with kick-off at 7.45pm, then host Zebre on Friday, October 2, also at 7.45pm. Dragons will open their home campaign against the Scarlets at Rodney Parade on Saturday, October 3, with kick-off at 3pm.
Cardiff have also been linked with former England international Matt Banahan, who has now landed a new job after reports they were interested in adding him to their coaching staff ahead of next season. But for Wales, the immediate focus is on Adelaide, where Tandy’s trip has already given him a first look at the place that will frame their Rugby World Cup 2027 opener.
