From Monday, Matt Sherratt had just 5 days to prepare 12th ranked Wales for 2nd ranked and Six Nations favourites Ireland. It looks like a no-win situation, but he doesn’t need win on Saturday to inject life into the zombie-like men in red.
From Monday, Matt Sherratt had just 5 days to prepare 12th ranked Wales for 2nd ranked and Six Nations favourites Ireland. It looks like a no-win situation, but he doesn’t need win on Saturday to inject life into the zombie-like men in red.
As Cardiff coach, Sherratt has shown that he knows how to develop an attack without relying on physical dominance: first phase moves and utilise the width. Cardiff average 3.4 tries per game in the URC and 53.5% of them have come from first phase moves – the most of anyone – whilst their mid to wide movement is in the top 3. Wales are yet to score an open play try this Six Nations, so any glimpse of attacking ambition would feel revolutionary.
Teaching the Welsh squad his strike plays shouldn’t be a problem as the spine of the team is already fully Cardiff. Even new call-ups Jarrod Evans, Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn have all been coached by Sherratt in the past. He should be unapologetic in favouring players he knows who already have cohesion – it’s the sensible approach. Expect a backline that is 6/7 blue and blacks.
Hard core fans won’t judge Sherratt on these 3 games – there’s no point, we already know Wales are looking elsewhere for Gatland’s successor. Many casual fans still backed Gatland till the end, but they will move on.
The fact is we are discussing how we would like to lose rather than how we can win. A 7 tries to 3 defeat on Saturday would feel better than 5 tries to 1. Right now, the feeling is what matters most.