Wales’ interim head coach Matt Sherratt will lead the national team on a two-Test tour of Japan this July, aiming to end a 17-match losing streak.
This tour marks Wales’ first visit to Japan since 2013, providing an opportunity to rebuild.
This tour marks Wales’ first visit to Japan since 2013, providing an opportunity to rebuild.
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00:00Now, Matt Sherratt is to return as the interim head coach of the Wales national men's rugby team
00:09for their tour in Japan.
00:11There had been a lot of speculation as to who would become the next permanent head coach of the Wales team,
00:15but we are yet to find a successor to Warren Garland.
00:18And so Matt Sherratt once again standing in following his standing period during the Six Nations.
00:25So it's an interesting one because, of course, Wales on this horrid losing streak of games
00:31and they'll look at this Japan tour as an opportunity probably to get some wins on the board
00:35and just end the torrid streak of defeats.
00:39And yet it's also a bit of a banana skin as well because Japan these days is a rugby mad country
00:44and they'll have a lot of tough tests with the Welsh team,
00:48depending on what teams they put out as well to play in the games that they have on tour.
00:52So from Matt Sherratt's point of view, he has to navigate this as best he possibly can.
00:58This is not to say he wants the job on a permanent basis,
01:00but just for the pride of the Welsh national team,
01:02they need to get through this as best as they can without suffering too many defeats
01:07and adding to their long list of recent losses in international rugby.
01:13So let's go now to our Wales sports correspondent, Charles Higg-Jones.
01:16Charles, firstly, what can Matt Sherratt do just to have damage limitation on this tour
01:23and make sure that it is a success and that Wales aren't embarrassed once again
01:27as they were in the Six Nations, but also what will he be thinking in terms of the head coach role?
01:32Does he still not want it, want it perhaps even?
01:36And if he doesn't, who should Wales be looking for?
01:39Because, of course, it's been a little while now since the Six Nations and Warren Gatlin left.
01:42So Wales do need to get a bit of a hurry up in terms of starting the foundations for a new era.
01:49Yeah, Matt Sherratt's obviously a great background and coaching journey.
01:54You have to look at him at Cardiff.
01:56Obviously, previously stepped in as Wales interim coach during the Six Nations as well,
02:01following Warren Gatlin's departure.
02:02You know, you have to look at a few factors as to why he is the chosen one at the moment.
02:07So many players have come out and said, you know, they've enjoyed his working under him.
02:12They've enjoyed his spell in terms of the national team.
02:15And he himself said, you know, there's a lot to do in terms of the nation for Wales.
02:19But, you know, a bit of confidence, a bit of positivity had really shifted emotion, obviously.
02:24You know, he came in and the confidence was going in the right direction.
02:29They obviously suffered then a record loss to England in the Six Nations in a home defeat by their biggest landscape ever,
02:38which is unbelievable, really, considering the way Sherratt had shifted them.
02:42But, you know, that's England on their rise.
02:44Wales are just lacking behind in terms of where they need to be, where they want to be in their world rugby ranking quest as well.
02:52So, you know, it's a really tough situation for Wales at the moment.
02:56You know, obviously appointed for the Japan Tour, he will resume his role as interim head coach,
03:02which means, you know, one of two things.
03:05Firstly, for me, it shows that he's the guy at the moment.
03:08He's the go-to guy.
03:09He's the safe pair of hands that they're relying on.
03:12But secondly, there's underlying problems there.
03:14Wales have, you know, really, really struggled to get someone to take this job on.
03:18And 17 losses in a row, he needs to try and put an end to that.
03:22Is it going to come soon?
03:23You don't know.
03:24And Japan actually now proves a massive test.
03:26Obviously, just one below them in the world rankings in 13th, Wales 12th.
03:32One of the lowest they've ever been as a rugby nation as well.
03:35So, yeah, massive challenge for Sherratt.
03:37I think he is the right man to do it.
03:39Obviously, he's got a great coaching team around him.
03:42Gethys Jenkins, Adam Jones, Tyrese Thomas and Danny Wilson,
03:47obviously the Harley Quinns head coach as well.
03:49We know the situation with Welsh rugby at the moment with the PRA agreement.
03:52It's all over the shop, really, in terms of Welsh rugby.
03:56But this tour could actually prove us a bit of a, you know, a bit of a boundary,
04:01a bit of a clean slate.
04:02And they are hoping for it.
04:04Obviously, Dewey Lake named captain.
04:06Only two players on the British and Irish Lions tour for Wales.
04:09So, they're going to have to go for it.
04:12They're going to have to try and end this streak.
04:14And then, you know, it could influence his position at Cardiff,
04:18you know, potentially affecting future coaching appointments, obviously.
04:23But I do think Sherratt is the man to lead Wales and end this torrid run
04:28that they've been on and turn things around and hopefully have more of a positive end,
04:33you know, mid to end of the year.
04:35And then they can kick on in the future after getting some appointments
04:38that are very much needed in terms of the WIU at the moment.
04:43So, let's see.
04:45Let's see.
04:46Let's see.