All eyes will be on Matt Sherratt as he makes his debut as Wales’s head coach
AFTER a whirlwind two weeks since their loss to Italy, Wales head into this Saturday’s game against Ireland hoping for a fresh start.
Wales’ loss in Rome was the final nail in the coffin for former head coach Warren Gatland, who left by “mutual agreement” shortly after.
Gatland oversaw the worst run of form in Wales’s 144-year history, losing 14 consecutive matches and leaving Wales staring down the shaft of a second consecutive wooden spoon.
A lot has changed since then, with Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt stepping in for the time being, while Wales search for a long-term successor.
For the new head coach, it’s all about making the best of things.
“My mindset coming in was just to make sure that, firstly, I enjoyed it and, secondly, that I was going to try and do things my way in terms of how I believe the game should be played,” said Sherratt.
“I’m not going to just say ‘go out and have a crack’ as that gets messy. We’ve worked really hard in the week on how we find and keep shape. It’s just making sure the players are very, very clear on how we play.
“This week has been about how we try and get the mindset right and a good positive attitude and then just put a framework in place where the players feel comfortable enough to put all their energy into something.”
For back row Aaron Wainwright, the Ireland clash is all about getting the fans back onside.
“There isn’t a lot of positivity around Welsh rugby at the moment and there’s obviously no hiding away from the fact this is a pretty low point,” he said.
“We are on a run of defeats and everyone goes out each weekend to try to put that right.
“We don’t go out there to lose, and the important thing for us this weekend is that we’re going to be playing in a packed-out Principality Stadium.
“That’s what we’re all aiming towards and that’s what we’ve been speaking about in training. What a good opportunity this could be to have everyone getting behind us – it will be amazing.”
Sherratt has already put his stamp on this struggling Wales team, calling up Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans, along with Gloucester duo Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, who will look to bolster the Welsh attack.
Sherratt has also made sweeping changes to the side that faced Italy, with nine changes being made to the starting line-up from two weeks ago.
One change to watch will be Ellis Mee at 11. The Scarlets winger will be making his debut for Wales, joined by Blair Murray and Tom Rogers in the back three.
“One of the reasons you coach, actually, is to name a team and see a young kid who’s dreamt of playing for his country get that opportunity,” said Sherratt.
“I’m sure his family will be massively proud of him, so to see his face on selection was part of the reason you coach.
“He’s had a really good week. I hope he just goes out and enjoys playing for his country.”
While Wales are likely facing another heavy loss in the Six Nations against a relentlessly brilliant Ireland team, Sherratt believes his side has the will to challenge them.
“There’s not been any lack of effort with this squad. They’re massively proud to play for their country,” he said.
“We just needed them to channel it in the right direction, so hopefully we’ll see some signs of that on Saturday against one of the best teams in the world.”
Ireland come into this tie in tremendous form, winning five games on the spin and coming off an emphatic away win against Scotland.
With a hard-fought victory against England under their belt and ties against Wales and Italy still to play, they are in good shape to win their third Six Nations title in a row.
“Ireland are incredibly detailed in whatever they do in line-out, attack shape, breakdown stuff – all the little things that they can do and get away with, they will,” said Wainwright.
While few will be backing Wales on Saturday, hopes will be high that Sherratt and his team will be able to inject some hope back into Welsh rugby and give fans reason to be optimistic.
