Matt Sherratt will continue as Wales’ interim head coach for the upcoming two-Test tour of Japan in July 2025. Sherratt previously stepped in during the latter part of the 2025 Six Nations following Warren Gatland’s departure, overseeing matches against Ireland, Scotland, and England.
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00:00Matt Sherratt will continue as Wales' interim head coach for the upcoming two-test tour
00:07of Japan in July. Sherratt previously stepped in during the latter part of the 2025 Six
00:13Nations following Warren Gatland's departure, overseeing matches against Ireland, Scotland
00:18and England.
00:20Despite a challenging campaign including a record home defeat to England, Sherratt's
00:25leadership was noted for instilling renewed energy and tactical clarity within the squad.
00:31The Welsh Rugby Union has assembled a refreshed coaching team for the Japan Tour. Notably
00:38former assistant Jonathan Humphries and Mike Forshaw will not participate. Instead Sherratt
00:44will be joined by Harley Quinn's head coach Danny Wilson and scrum specialist Adam Jones,
00:49Gloucester's Rhys Thomas and Cardiff's Gethys Jenkins. Additionally former Wales international
00:55Lee Halfpenny will serve as the kicking coach.
00:59It's always easy to look at the top of the pyramid, the national team and the regions, but any
01:06good team it starts with the grassroots and the foundations of the academy.
01:12The 33-man squad for the tour reflects a balance between experience and emerging talent. Dewey Lake
01:18has been named captain leading a team that includes seasoned players like Josh Adams, Talupe
01:23Felitao and Aaron Wainwright.
01:25The squad also features six uncapped players, Liam Belcher, Chris Coleman, Garen Phillips,
01:31Keelan Giles, Reuben Morgan Williams and Max Page. Notable absentees include Jack Morgan and
01:38Thomas Williams who are on British and Irish Lions duty as well as Gareth Anscombe and Nick
01:44Tompkins.
01:46Wales will face Japan in Kitakushu on July 5th and in Kobe on July 12th. These matches
01:51present an opportunity for the team to end a 17-match losing streak and rebuild confidence
01:57ahead of future competitions.
01:59The WIU CEO Abi Tierney expressed gratitude to Sherratt for his continued commitment, acknowledging
02:06the challenges ahead and the importance of this tour in laying the groundwork for the team's
02:12resurgence.