Matt Sherratt’s Interim Tenure as Wales Head Coach: Insights and Perspectives
As Matt Sherratt approaches the conclusion of his interim tenure as Wales’ head coach, he faces his final Six Nations match against England at home this Saturday. His former colleague, Danny Wilson, who currently leads Harlequins, shared with The i Paper his belief that Sherratt should at least be considered for the head coach position on a permanent basis. Meanwhile, ex-Wales centre Tom Shanklin emphasizes the need for a shift towards a more entertaining and attacking style of play. While high-profile candidates like Michael Cheika are in the conversation for the role, financial considerations may ultimately dictate who Wales can afford.
Sherratt, a figure who was somewhat of an enigma outside Cardiff and the clubs he has previously coached, began his coaching career relatively young, in 2005, after leaving his profession as a primary school teacher. This Six Nations has marked a significant chapter in his career.
Sherratt’s Coaching Journey and Current Role
- Sherratt took over as head coach of Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in 2023, extending his contract by three years last month.
- He stepped into the temporary role of coaching Wales following the abrupt departure of Warren Gatland, just two matches into the Six Nations.
- Born in Gloucester in 1976 to a Welsh mother, Sherratt has made strategic changes to the Wales lineup and its public image, despite facing a challenging series of defeats against Ireland and Scotland, resulting in a record run of 16 Test losses.
Wilson, who coached alongside Sherratt at Bristol Bears and Cardiff, expressed confidence in Sherratt’s capabilities. “He’s not long gone into Cardiff as his first head-coach gig and in a very short space of time he’s now coaching Wales,” Wilson commented from Harlequins’ training camp in Portugal. “He’s been a coach for a long time, and I certainly think he’d be a strong candidate for the permanent Wales role if he’s interested.”
Shanklin noted, “Let’s see how this Saturday goes. The game against Ireland had positives, but the Scotland match brought us back to reality. I haven’t seen enough to believe that tactically, Wales will outperform England.” He acknowledged the emotional boost of playing at the Principality Stadium against England could potentially lead to a surprising outcome.
Sherratt’s Impact and Coaching Philosophy
- A source at Cardiff praised Sherratt for being “very humble and self-aware” and indicated that the club has never prevented a coach from pursuing international opportunities.
- Currently, Cardiff is sixth out of 16 in the URC, with promising young talent emerging.
- Sherratt, affectionately nicknamed “Jockey” for his stature, is known for his empathetic approach and innovative coaching techniques.
“He’s a coach who pays attention to detail and brings a sense of humor to the team,” Wilson remarked. Shanklin further emphasized the importance of selecting the right next coach for Wales, expressing doubts about the board of the Welsh Rugby Union’s ability to make that decision effectively. “We need a director of rugby first,” he asserted, naming Stuart Lancaster and Huw Bevan as potential candidates.
Shanklin also raised concerns about affording high-profile coaches like Cheika, questioning whether Wales can manage a salary of around half a million pounds a year. “It’s not just about the head coach; it’s about the entire support team and the style of play we want to adopt,” he stated. He advocated for a more dynamic and attacking style, noting that Wales currently lacks the physicality to overpower their opponents.
Sherratt’s Coaching Experience and Future Prospects
Sherratt has an extensive coaching background, having previously worked with Ospreys and Worcester Warriors. He also served as Wales’ attack coach during the autumn series in 2016 and the summer tour matches against Tonga and Samoa in 2017, while Gatland was preoccupied with Lions duties.
On a recent podcast, Gatland remarked that Sherratt has the “luxury of just focusing on the present,” allowing him to integrate players like Evans and Gloucester’s Max Llewellyn effectively into the squad.
England head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged that Sherratt’s Wales has adopted a strategy that favors high balls and fewer phases in their own half. “They kick more from [fly-half Gareth] Anscombe, and when the game slows, they go to the air, creating a significant aerial contest,” Borthwick noted.
Wilson recalled a memorable strategy devised by Sherratt during his time at Cardiff, where they successfully employed short and attacking kicks against a strong Edinburgh defense in a Challenge Cup match. “He has a deep understanding of rugby coaching, having learned through community coaching and academies,” Wilson said. “I enjoyed working with him, and I believe we had a promising team.”
Fin Smith, England fly-half and former player under Sherratt at Worcester, praised Sherratt’s mentorship, highlighting his emphasis on skill development and pushing players to exceed expectations. “He encouraged me to hone my skills outside of training hours; he’s an incredible people person with a brilliant attacking mindset,” Smith shared.
Shanklin concluded, “Under Sherratt, Wales’ attack has shown improvement. We’ve seen better positioning and genuine options during plays, which is a significant step forward. The players are enjoying the new training approach and the fresh perspective he brings to the team.” Wilson echoed this sentiment, noting that part of Sherratt’s goal was to bring joy back into the game for the players, fostering an environment where they feel honored to represent their country.
