Tandy sacked by Ospreys after six years in charge

Ospreys have sacked coach Steve Tandy after six years in charge of the Welsh region.

Ospreys are second bottom of Guinness Pro14 Conference A with just four wins from 13 outings and were knocked out of the Champions Cup following a 24-7 defeat at Clermont Auvergne on Saturday.

Tandy, pictured, led the club to the then Pro12 title in his first season in charge but following the loss to Clermont, Ospreys have now failed to reach a Champions Cup quarter-final in eight years.

Ospreys managing director Andrew Millward said: “Steve has been an outstanding servant to Ospreys Rugby – often in challenging circumstances.

“His dedication to the region and his hard work has been absolute. However, we’re aware that results have not been good enough this season and that, regrettably, a change is necessary to keep the organisation moving forward.

“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. Steve has been an integral part of everything we have achieved over the last six years – from winning the Pro12 in his first season in charge to helping develop a strong core of players from our academy – and before that as a player.” ▪ Henry Slade could miss the start of the Six Nations after missing England’s Portugal training camp due to a shoulder injury.

The Exeter Chiefs playmaker suffered a shoulder complaint in his side’s 28-21 Champions Cup defeat at Glasgow on Saturday.

The 24-year-old will undergo further investigations, becoming a doubt for England’s opener away to Italy. ▪ France scrum-half Morgan Parra has been ruled out of the Six Nations opener against Ireland with a knee injury.

The 29-year-old Clermont Auvergne player, recently recalled to the international set-up following a two-year absence, has been replaced by Bordeaux’s Baptiste Serin. Toulon full-back Hugo Bonneval has also been drafted in, with Brice Dulin sidelined due to a calf problem.