Matt Sherratt has been appointed as Wales’ interim head coach for the remainder of the Six Nations following Warren Gatland’s sudden departure. However, expectations for an immediate turnaround remain low, with warnings that there is “no magic bullet” to fix the team’s struggles after their dismal 22-15 defeat to Italy.
Gatland left “by mutual agreement” after overseeing 14 consecutive Test defeats, the worst losing streak in the country’s 144-year rugby history. Although contracted until the 2027 World Cup, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) acknowledged that “it wasn’t working” and deemed the decision to part ways as being in the “best interests of the squad.”
Sherratt, 47, previously coached at Worcester, Bristol, and the Ospreys before taking charge of Cardiff in 2023. He had a brief stint with Wales in 2017 and now steps in for the final three matches of the tournament. While praised as “a people person,” the WRU admits Welsh rugby is at a “low ebb” and that significant changes will be difficult to implement in a short time. The goal remains to restore Wales to the top five in world rankings by 2029, with a permanent head coach expected to be in place before the summer tour to Japan.
Possible long-term successors include Glasgow’s Franco Smith and Simon Easterby, who is currently overseeing Ireland in Andy Farrell’s absence as he prepares for the British & Irish Lions tour.
Gatland’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter. In his initial 12-year tenure, he guided Wales to three Grand Slams, two World Cup semi-finals, and a record 14-match winning streak. However, his second spell failed to replicate past success, delivering only six wins in 26 Tests, a win rate of just 23%. He admitted it was “the right time for a change” and expressed gratitude to the players, fans, and his coaching staff.
Wales recently fell to 12th in the world rankings, their lowest-ever position, just below Georgia. Their next challenge is a daunting fixture against Six Nations leaders Ireland. Despite Gatland’s overall record of 76 wins in 151 matches, recent results made his exit almost inevitable. The WRU thanked him for his contributions, recognizing him as their longest-serving and most decorated head coach.
With Sherratt now in charge, there is hope he can inject fresh energy into the squad. His focus is on playing a more entertaining brand of rugby. He recounted how his own son lost interest while attending a match last year, emphasizing the need for a more engaging style. “I do think we’ve got a duty [to ensure] people enjoy watching rugby,” he said, stressing the importance of balancing entertainment with competitiveness.
It is a stark contrast from the team’s past dominance. Gatland, who also led the British & Irish Lions and previously coached Ireland, admitted this season had been “a challenging time” but insisted he had stuck to the methods that brought him success before. Despite his ability to motivate and select players effectively, it became clear the squad had lost confidence in him. Some believe the players had mentally checked out, no longer responding to his leadership.
Whether changing the head coach alone will be enough to spark a revival remains uncertain. Welsh rugby continues to face financial difficulties and off-field turmoil, while the retirement of key senior players has left the squad short on experience. The coming weeks will reveal if Sherratt can steady the ship and bring fresh direction to a struggling team.
