Cardiff coach, Matt Sherratt, has been appointed as the new interim head coach for Wales, following Warren Gatland’s departure, according to Wales Online. Gatland’s exit comes after a string of 14 Test match losses and a disappointing start to the Six Nations tournament this year. The New Zealander was given a chance to turn around Wales’ fortunes but ultimately stepped down after losses to France and Italy in the first two rounds of the Championship.
With Gatland’s departure, questions arose about his replacement, with names like Ireland’s Simon Easterby and Glasgow Warriors’ Franco Smith being mooted. However, it is Sherratt who has been selected to lead Wales on an interim basis for the remainder of the Six Nations, which includes matches against Ireland, Scotland, and England. Despite being lesser-known outside of Wales, Sherratt is a respected figure in Cardiff and has a diverse coaching background.
Sherratt began his coaching career at Worcester Warriors before moving on to Bristol Bears as a backs coach. He then joined Cardiff between 2016 and 2018, where he played a key role in the club’s success in the European Challenge Cup. Sherratt also had a stint with the Wales set-up in 2017 when he acted as the assistant coach during Gatland’s sabbatical. Following his time at Cardiff, he joined Ospreys as a backs coach before returning to Worcester and eventually back to Cardiff as the backs coach.
Under Sherratt’s leadership, Cardiff has seen an improvement in their performance, currently ranking fifth in this year’s URC table. Sherratt is highly regarded by his colleagues and players, with Italy’s defence coach, Richard Hodges, praising his coaching abilities. Hodges described Sherratt as empathetic and noted his ability to understand the game from the players’ perspective.
Sherratt’s appointment has been met with optimism and support, especially from the Cardiff rugby community. His experience and track record within Welsh rugby make him a suitable candidate to lead Wales during this transitional period. Fans and players alike will be eager to see how Sherratt shapes the team’s performance in the upcoming Six Nations matches.