Fin Smith recently shared the profound impact that Wales’ head coach, Matt Sherratt, had on his early rugby career, revealing the tough love that helped him achieve success. Their paths crossed during Smith’s time at Worcester Warriors, where Sherratt was the backs coach. Smith, now a key figure in England’s squad, credited Sherratt for providing the tough guidance that pushed him to elevate his game.
Smith reflected on a pivotal moment early in his career when Sherratt sat him down for an honest conversation. At the time, Smith was an 18-year-old, still in his first year at Worcester, and Sherratt saw potential in him. However, Sherratt made it clear that if Smith wanted to reach the level of established players like Jonny Wilkinson, Owen Farrell, and George Ford, he would need to push himself beyond the normal expectations of academy players his age.
According to Smith, Sherratt emphasized that simply following the training schedule and going through the motions wouldn’t be enough. He encouraged Smith to use his free time more productively, recommending that he dedicate extra hours to practicing his skills, improving his passing, and reviewing game footage. “If you want to take that step, you’ve got to be doing things slightly differently,” Sherratt told Smith. This advice, delivered with a dose of tough love, proved instrumental in motivating Smith to consistently push the boundaries of his potential.
Fast forward to the present, and Smith is now the starting fly-half for England, having established himself as a key player for his country. His development has been driven by the kind of hard work Sherratt encouraged, and Smith expressed deep gratitude for the guidance he received. Reflecting on his success, Smith acknowledged how much he has grown as a player, and much of it stems from the lessons instilled by Sherratt.
As England prepares to face Wales in Cardiff during the Six Nations, Smith is set to experience the intensity of the Principality Stadium, where the atmosphere is known for its hostility. Smith, however, seems ready to embrace the challenge. He admits that the crowd might have an effect on the game, but he feels much better equipped to handle it than he did a couple of years ago. Instead of being intimidated, he now looks forward to these kinds of high-pressure environments.
In the same match, England’s backline will feature 32-year-old Elliot Daly, a senior figure who has been in solid form. Daly impressed in the previous match against Italy, where he started at full-back and shifted to centre after Ollie Lawrence’s injury. With Lawrence now ruled out for the season, Daly, along with Henry Slade and Tommy Freeman, is expected to play a key role in England’s backline against Wales. His experience will be crucial, particularly in a match that could determine whether England stay in contention for the Six Nations title.
Daly has fond memories of playing in Cardiff, especially after his decisive late try in 2017. However, he cautioned his teammates not to get caught up in trying to chase a bonus point or an overly ambitious scoreline. “You go into the game wanting to win, not necessarily thinking about the bonus point,” Daly explained. It’s a mindset that prioritizes winning the game first, with everything else falling into place.
With England’s path to the Six Nations title still in their hands, their performance in Cardiff could be crucial. If they secure a bonus-point win, they will move to the top of the table and await results from other matches to determine their fate. As Smith and Daly prepare to face Sherratt’s Wales, the influence of tough love, hard work, and a focused mindset will be at the forefront of their approach.
