Matt Sherratt Q&A: My toughest call and the player I'm so excited to work with
Matt Sherratt Q&A: My toughest call and the player I'm so excited to work with
Wales' stand-in coach has named his 33-man squad for Japan as they look to end their 17-Test wait for a victory
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
Wales interim coach Matt Sherratt named his squad to tour Japan this summer on Tuesday, with six uncapped players making the 33-man group.
Cardiff hooker Liam Belcher, Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman, Ospreys loosehead Garyn Phillips, Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams, Scarlets back Macs Page and Ospreys wing Keelan Giles are all named, with Dewi Lake leading the side. Here's everything Sherratt - who was confirmed as interim coach just before the squad announcement - had to say about his selection...
With the lack of British & Irish Lions call-ups, was continuity the most important thing?
"It was about continuity. Being a Lions year, with two players away and a couple of other experienced players unavailable. It was important to get some experience in the squad.
"Probably big picture-wise, if I'm honest, the development angle should be left to the next guy coming in, in terms of some younger boys he wants to look at. It's a short tour. It's trying to get players who have played a lot for their regions with their experience that was important to this one."
Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Article continues below
On the back of 17 losses, this tour can't be just about development?
"I agree. Probably a big part of doing it when I was asked a couple of weeks ago was laying a foundation for the next guy coming in. I don't think it's our job as coaches to look at the big picture. We'll be in camp for six or seven weeks.
"It's just about getting some familiarity there, and with the world rankings and Japan being one place behind, it's about going there and trying to get a result. That's part of laying a foundation for the next guy as well. I would love for the next guy to look at the team and think there's something to build on and not have that losing record around their neck."
What was the decision-making behind the six uncapped players?
"I think they fall into different brackets. The likes of Reuben and the two props, their club form has dictated they deserve a go. The likes of Liam Belcher and Keelan Giles, they've been consistent regional players for the last six or seven years so they deserve it for those reasons.
"I wanted to pick players who had been playing regularly, starting for their reasons and had earned a cap. And then, in a couple of positions, just some younger boys who may have an exciting future."
What about the absentees?
"Dafydd Jenkins has got an injury. He's having elective surgery in the summer. Adam Beard has got a move coming and he's got a young family. It's a mix of players injured or unavailable through family circumstances.
"Max Llewellyn is injured. Jarrod Evans is in the same boat. Mason Grady hasn't played since the autumn. It's letting them boys have a break and a good pre-season so they're ready to go next year."
What was the thinking behind your new coaching team?
"Firstly, going back to Abi's statement, there's obviously a big change happening at the moment with the system. The WRU were pretty clear they wanted to take an interim staff. As soon as they said that, I think it was important, with the limited time, that we'd worked together before.
"I've worked with Danny at Cardiff, I work with Gethin now. Gethin and TR have worked together. Adam Jones has played with them. It's a familiar staff. Having staff harmony rubs off on the players. It's important I had people I know and trust."
What does that mean for the current coaches (Mike Forshaw, Jonathan Humphreys, Neil Jenkins and Rob Howley)?
"I think that's for the next coach to make that decision, as well as the top of the WRU. That wasn't something I was comfortable with getting involved in."
Did you consider not taking the role, given the uncertainty currently facing Welsh rugby?
"I'll be honest with you, I got on the plane to come home from South Africa and one of the staff said about a press release. I've been in this job long enough, I just concentrate about the rugby.
"I'll let other people who are way above my paygrade worry about the future of the regions and the national game. I love coaching. I loved the Six Nations and I really enjoy working with the people coming on this tour. That's my motivation."
Given what it going on off the field, how much of this tour will be about managing players through that situation?
"Unfortunately, I've seen it a couple of times with other clubs. It's probably bigger news outside of an environment than it is inside. As soon as you come into a camp, especially an international camp, you are a bit cocooned.
"The players are so busy focusing on playing and training that all the big picture stuff seems to go away. I'm sure in the background, after the tour, that may be an issue. But there was certainly not any rumblings for the day or so in South Africa when it broke."
What's the reason behind Gareth Anscombe's absence?
"It was more around Dan Edwards, he was obviously involved in the Six Nations. It's time to look forward with Dan. Sam Costelow was injured during the Six Nations. The squad is slightly smaller for this trip. So it's getting Sam up to speed. Ben Thomas can cover 10 as well."
What about Ellis Mee?
"Ellis is not injured. We've decided to go with Josh, Tom Rogers and Keelan Giles. That was probably one of the hardest decisions. I spoke to Dwayne Peel this morning around some of the rationale around it. I think Ellis is going to be a well-capped international. I just feel we need experience, particularly in the backline.
"I know Keelan isn't capped, but he's came on a tour nine years ago with me to Samoa. He's been in good form and is a regular starter in the URC. I feel his time is right. That was one of the toughest calls. Ellis has a big future."
And Morgan Morse?
"On the Morgan Morse one, I actually think he's going to be a hell of a player. He's got power, he's quick and he's got a point of difference. In normal circumstances, he may be a player that comes on the plane. I just feel he's really an out-and-out No. 8. And wih Toby Faletau and Aaron Wainwright coming, is it time really, with the position Wales are in, to be gambling with that? I'm sure in six months time, Morgan Morse will have an experience. But, at the moment, Faletau and Wainwright have 150 caps between them and we need that experience."
How do you cope with losing leaders in Jac Morgan and Dafydd Jenkins?
"We thought about that when we selected. Dewi and Gareth have captained the Ospreys, Liam's captained Cardiff, Ben Carter has captained the Dragons, Josh Macleod captains the Scarlets. Around the squad, they're not all experienced at international level, but they've got a voice and they've got an ear of the group.
"It's a pretty even spread from the regions. Between the squad, there's enough experience there. That was genuinely a big reason in terms of the selection, trying to get some experienced lads on the tour."
Given this will be less chaotic than the Six Nations, do you view this as a chance to build up properly and have a real crack in Japan?
"I just think it's a really good opportunity to lay a foundation. It's important to me that our basics are better in Japan. The reality is that all the coaches are all still coaching or have just finished. We haven't had a huge amount of time to look at Japan yet, as day-to-day coaching takes up so much of your time.
"I think getting the basics right, we'll have a good two-and-a-half weeks in camp. There'll be some new voices in camp, particularly Gethin and Danny. Allowing them to get their stuff across will be important. When I look at the squad and staff, I'm genuinely excited to spend some time with them."
With the search for the head coach ongoing, is the squad and gameplan for this summer all down to you?
"Yeah, it'll be my decision and the coaching staff. We'll meet up as a staff in the next couple of weeks. It'll just be preparing for two Tests. I think the big picture needs to be looked at by someone coming in on a long-term contract, not someone coming short-term. This will be about laying a foundation and trying to win a Test match in Japan. The guy coming in next can build on that."
Is there more expectation on you now compared to the Six Nations, where you were parachuted in?
"I'll just do my best. I think having a bit more time and knowing the coaches will help. Speaking to the players, there's a real desire to go to Japan and prove a point. We'll do our best to go there, lay a foundation and hopefully take that losing record away as well."
Do you sense there's a desire amongst the players to end that losing record?
"I don't know. Probably my thoughts are I wouldn't focus on it with the players. It's got to feel fresh. They've got to enjoy coming into camp and how we're trying to play. If we do those things, we'll have a chance of winning a game. It's not going to be a talking point."
What can Macs Page offer?
"He's got a point of difference, hasn't he? I will credit the regional coaches as well. There's been a real collaboration with this. It's been hard to select as I've been trying my hardest to get Cardiff into the play-offs. Danny and Adam are still coaching Harlequins and TR is coaching Gloucester.
"When you're coaching, all your focus is on your team. I've spoken to Mark Jones, Dwayne Peel and Filo a couple of times. They've been brilliant and given me some real good advice in terms of their players. I've seen Macs first-hand. But Dwayne Peel was really excited by him. He covers that 13/wing slot so I'm really excited to work with him."
Any there likely to be any more coaches added to your team?
"At the moment, there's no one confirmed so not at present."
Did you look at bringing in any regional coaches to your team?
Article continues below
"I did, to be honest. I thought it was important I spoke to the WRU about having some other regional coaches involved. Unfortunately, they were not all able to do it for various reasons.
"They've been involved, not directly, with selection. They've been more than helpful to me. I phoned them all this morning to give them a heads up, so the boys that weren't picked, they can manage and I can give them a hand with that. I will say they've been really good with helping out."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Swansea piecing together transfer 'puzzle'
Director of football Richard Montague says Swansea City are piecing together a transfer "puzzle" in their bid to strengthen for next have already agreed deals for winger Zeidane Inoussa and teenage striker Bobby Wales, while defender Ricardo Santos is poised to sign on a free and January recruit Melker Widell will arrive in there is plenty more work to do, with a left-sided centre-back and a defensive midfielder understood to be the club's leading priorities as things are also looking at attacking options – including Oli McBurnie – and remain interested in re-signing Lewis O' may also be further defensive additions depending on which players depart this summer, with Harry Darling's future still says Swansea have discussed a string of potential deals – and is "very confident" Alan Sheehan's new-look squad will be stronger than the one which finished last season. A move for Swansea old boy McBurnie, who is available on a free transfer following Las Palmas' relegation from La Liga, would be an eye-catching one, though much is likely to depend on whether fellow forwards Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich come back into the fold in about McBurnie, who scored 26 goals in 62 appearances in his previous spell at Swansea, Montague said: "I think everybody knows about Oli and his qualities and his situation as well."He is one we have spoken about and will be a name on various lists that we have. He is clearly a very, very good player, but I'd be unwilling to say whether that's progressing or has progressed any further."In theory a lot of things are conceivable, but it depends on where you are not going to spend money elsewhere."Not necessarily talking about Oli McBurnie, but it's all a puzzle where you say how much do we value a particular player, what can he add to us, and how much of our budget should we allocate to any player?" Montague says "all options are on the table" regarding Yates, who impressed during a loan spell at Derby last season but is under contract at Swansea for at least one more year."We need to have proper conversations with him and his agent to discuss what is the best way forward for him. Nothing is decided yet," Montague situation is similar with Kuharevich, who was on loan at Hibernian in 2024-25, while goalkeeper Andy Fisher and midfielders Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill are also due back in Wales after loan spells away.O'Brien has gone in the opposite direction, returning to parent-club Nottingham Forest after thriving at Swansea having joined on loan in 26-year-old has expressed an interest in rejoining Swansea, but has a year to run on his contract at the City says there have been "good conversations with Forest" about the idea of O'Brien returning. "They were really good to deal with last season. They sent us a really nice message to thank us for how well Lewis did with us, which was great to receive," he added."The ball is a little bit in their court at the moment because of Lewis' contract situation. He is on a Premier League salary and there needs to be some give in some sense to make it work for us. But it's definitely an option that's still on the table."We are talking to Lewis and having good conversations with Forest. We would love to be able to do something. It's just timing and matching it all up with the financial realities."Swansea have been linked with a move for another midfielder, Lincoln City's Ethan Erhahon, and are thought to have tabled a bid earlier in the Montague has indicated Swansea will not be signing the 24-year-old, saying: "We have talked about so many players and quite a lot have got to the point where we have spoken to agents or clubs. There isn't anything concrete in that one." No interest in Franco yet - and no news on Fulton Montague, meanwhile, says there has been no interest in player-of-the-year Goncalo Franco so far this has been touted as a potential target for clubs in Europe on the back of a fine first season in Wales, but Montague said: "There is so much noise around this time of the year, which is understandable because people need things to write about."But until we have anything concrete, there is nothing for me to say about it. He has obviously had a brilliant season and we would love to keep him here, so let's hope that's what happens."Jay Fulton is another Swansea player who has been linked with a summer exit, with Plymouth Argyle mentioned as potential suitors for the long-serving Montague has suggested Sheehan's squad needs the experience of Fulton following the summer departures of old heads like Joe Allen, Kyle Naughton and Cyrus Christie."Jay did unbelievably well for us when he came into the team at the back end of the season - he gave us some great minutes and is an unbelievable character," he said."He is a senior player, which is probably lacking a bit in that age profile now with some of the key departures we had. He is an important player for us and there is no news about any offers or movement with Jay."
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz 'doubts' emerge as agreement reached over £126m Liverpool target
Both Micah Richards and Alan Shearer are in agreement over Liverpool target Florian Wirtz, and his potential inability to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League from the Bundesliga Micah Richards and Alan Shearer both doubt whether Florian Wirtz will handle the Premier League's physicality as Liverpool continue to push for his signature. The German maestro is being lined up for a move to Anfield this month. Leverkusen's 22-year-old playmaker has emerged as the next top target for Arne Slot's league title-winning Reds, who have already poached wing-back Jeremie Frimpong from the Bundesliga outfit for a cut-price £30m. Wirtz's transfer fee is the only thing that is currently delaying a deal being completed. The German side have rejected each of Liverpool's bids so far as they reportedly hold out for a British record transfer sum of over £126m. Should the German eventually arrive in England, however, pundits and ex-pros Richards and Shearer agree that he may be unable to cope with the increased physicality of the top flight, while they lauded him as a special technical talent. So far, Leverkusen have turned down two offers from the Reds for Wirtz, the latest totalling £110m, though another is expected imminently for the star who registered 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions last year. German outlet BILD also report that personal terms will be no issue, and Wirtz has already agreed on a prospective contract that will keep him on Merseyside until 2030. In light of such revelations and the increased likelihood that a deal will soon be reached, Richards and Shearer chewed the fat about Wirtz, agreeing that their only worry would be his youthful frame. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer questioned to co-host Richards: "Is he that good Micah?" "He's exceptional," retorted the former Manchester City defender. "Obviously, he's got to do it in a league which is more physical. That is my only doubt. It's my only doubt. Tactically, he's got it. Technically, he's got it. "The way he manipulates the ball… he was a superstar from a young age, so he can deal with pressure. It's just, where does he fit into the system? "Is he gonna play in Dominik Szoboszlai's role? Or is he gonna play him out on the left-hand side, because he can do both, and honestly, for £120million he's worth every single penny." Shearer then chimed in, adding: "I've seen him quite a bit this season in the Champions League, and there's no doubt he's a really, really talented player. "It's a hell of a lot of money, but I think he'll be a success. I would say the same in terms of the physical side of things. With technical ability and all of that, he's a very, very good player." Though Reds fans will hope an agreement is reached soon, former Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller admitted this week that it may 'take a while' until the details are ironed out between both parties. Though he says Wirtz is keen and likely to end up a Liverpool player.
Pembrokeshire Herald
an hour ago
- Pembrokeshire Herald
From Haverfordwest to Kentucky: Rob Edwards relaunches iconic US wrestling brand
THE ENTREPRENEUR behind Haverfordwest County AFC's dramatic rise has now set his sights on the world of professional wrestling – by taking over one of America's most iconic promotions. Rob Edwards, who took control of the Pembrokeshire club in 2019 and steered it from the brink of collapse to European competition, has relaunched Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), the US-based promotion that helped launch the careers of John Cena, Batista, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton. All Rights Reserved by the photographer, Steve Bainbridge. Any reproduction without prio consent is strictly forbidden. Tel:(+44)7887-982798 Email: info@ Edwards' London-based sports management company, MSM, has taken a controlling stake in OVW, which featured in the popular Netflix documentary Wrestlers. He plans to transform the promotion into what he calls the world's 'top independent wrestling company.' It marks an ambitious new chapter for Edwards, whose story began not with a sports background but with a wine business. Speaking to reporters this week, Edwards said the journey began during lockdown, when he was questioning the future of his company and clicked on a listing for a semi-professional Welsh football club – one with no staff, no players under contract, and gates under 100. Six weeks later, he owned Haverfordwest County. The club has since become one of Welsh football's most compelling success stories. It reached its highest league position in 20 years, secured its first-ever European win in 2023, and qualified again for Europe this year. The club's academy also claimed the FAW Youth Cup and a place in the UEFA Youth League. Now, Edwards is applying the same strategy in Kentucky. He told the Herald: 'It's completely surreal. But it all comes from the same place. I'm obsessed with sport and the positive impact it can have on people's lives. With OVW, I saw the same raw potential that Haverfordwest had when I first took over.' Under Edwards' leadership, OVW has already begun to change. A fan-first strategy has been introduced, a new leadership team put in place, and surveys rolled out to reconnect the brand with its audience. 'There's something visceral about live wrestling,' Edwards said. 'The energy, the storytelling, the crowd – it's all there. But OVW needed a new identity and a fresh plan. That's what we're building.' Comparisons have been drawn with the Hollywood-backed revival of Wrexham AFC, but Edwards is quick to distance himself from the celebrity-driven model. 'I was the first Rob to buy a football club in Wales,' he joked. 'But we're not Wrexham, and I'm not famous. This isn't about nostalgia or cameras. It's about real people, grassroots passion, and creating a lasting legacy through sport.' Edwards says MSM's long-term vision is to own five to seven clubs across different sports – each rooted in its community, with strong commercial backing. OVW, he says, is a cornerstone of that plan. 'We're not just bringing OVW back,' he said. 'We want to show the world what modern wrestling can be – and build something that lasts.'
