Tandy insists Wales still a rugby nation amid empty seats

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has spoken out amid growing concerns over dwindling crowds at the Principality Stadium, with thousands of tickets still unsold for Sunday’s Six Nations meeting with France.

The fixture is one of three home games this campaign – along with Scotland and Italy – where significant availability remains, reflecting the toll of sustained struggles both on and off the pitch in Welsh rugby.

A painful run of results

Wales have suffered defeat in 22 of their last 24 internationals, a sequence that includes a record 12 successive Six Nations losses. Last weekend’s 48-7 hammering at the hands of England was Tandy’s fourth loss in five matches since taking charge in 2025.

Despite the bleak run, Tandy believes the passion of Welsh supporters shows the sport’s deep roots in the country.

“I think it tells me we’re a rugby nation with all the disappointment there has been,” said Tandy.

“Everybody wants us to be back at the top of the table, but ultimately that’s going to take a bit of time.

“It [Welsh rugby] is not in a great place at the minute, but I believe we will get there.

“It’s going to take everyone, not just the players, coaches and supporters, to play their part to try and get us back to where we want to be as a nation.”

Financial worries for the WRU

The prospect of reduced attendances carries serious financial implications for the Welsh Rugby Union, which relies on men’s home internationals for more than half of its overall turnover.

The lowest crowd for a Wales home Six Nations match against France came in 2022, when 63,208 turned up for a Friday night fixture. The same match-up two years later, held on a Sunday, drew 71,242. The smallest Six Nations attendance at the stadium was 58,349 for the visit of Italy back in 2002.

A long wait for home success

Wales have not tasted victory in a home Six Nations fixture for four years, their last coming against Scotland in February 2022. Their sole tournament win since then was against Italy in Rome in March 2023.

Tandy praised the loyalty of supporters who continue to back the team through difficult times.

“The fans are amazing, when we’ve had them there in the stadium and the well-wishers outside of it,” he said.

“Whenever I see people, they want the team to do well, the players want to do well too, and us as coaches, we want the nation to be the best it can be.

“We’re in a different part of our cycle at the minute, and patience [is needed].

“Every team tends to go through it, and probably for us being a smaller nation, when you’re going through that, it might take a little bit longer.”