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Matt Sherratt explains why Wales need someone fresh in charge, not him

By PA
Interim Wales boss Matt Sherratt at work versus Ireland (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Matt Sherratt’s instinct is for “someone fresh to come in” as Wales head coach after his three-game stint ends following Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations showdown against England.

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Sherratt has made an impressive impact since he took the reins from Warren Gatland and if Wales defeat their traditionally fiercest rivals in Cardiff, then a clamour can be expected for the Welsh Rugby Union to appoint him on a full-time basis.

But Gloucester-born Sherratt, whose father is English while his mother hails from the Welsh valleys town of Tredegar, will soon be back in the day-job as Cardiff boss. “I am going to go back to Cardiff as head coach on Monday. If we beat England, I will probably be in on Friday,” Sherratt said.

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“I have not changed on that. It is a big job, and for three games it has been a massively enjoyable campaign. My instinct is that it needs someone fresh to come in. And probably where I am as a coach – I have been a head coach for 18 months.

“I have always been pretty self-aware in terms of where I am in my development, and I feel I need a bit more time in the saddle as a head coach at club level.”

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Sherratt, an affable and engaging figure, has instilled an ambition, creativity and freshness about Wales, which they highlighted by pushing Ireland to their mental and physical limits before succumbing 27-18 at the Principality Stadium.

Wales have so far been unable to end a losing run that now stands at 16 Tests, yet Sherratt has generated a far brighter outlook. “I said to the group after Ireland, we have just got to be in the hunt at the end (of games).

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“I have said to the players not to worry about the end result. If we can be in the fight at 70-75 minutes, at some stage we will get over the line.”

Sherratt’s farewell – if that is what it turns out to be – will see Wales striving to avoid a wooden spoon for the second season in a row, and England targeting title success. England effectively need a bonus-point victory – and tournament favourites France losing at home to Scotland on Saturday night – for a first Six Nations crown since 2020.

Reflecting on Wales-England history, Sherratt said: “I used to have to sit between my mum and dad to split them up! And then I would switch sides, depending on who won. In the 70s I was probably wearing red a little bit more, and then come the 90s and early 2000s my dad’s voice probably took over the house a little bit more.

“He is going to the game on Saturday, and I’ve managed to change him I think (from England to Wales). I don’t know how long for, but definitely for this weekend.

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“I have worked in Wales for so long, and I have got so much familiarity with a lot of the Welsh players – probably three-quarters of the squad I have coached before and have personal relationships with – so I am more interested in that than what country I was born in.”

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