Matt Sherratt will be without 13 players in camp (Image: Getty)
Following their 27-18 defeat at the hands of Ireland, Wales are set to be forced to shake up their squad.
Per Six Nations rules, Wales’s English and French-based players will not participate in this week’s training, affecting nearly half of the starting line-up from Saturday’s match against Ireland.
Forwards Nicky Smith, WillGriff John, Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, as well as backs Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, and Max Llewellyn — all of whom played over the weekend – plus substitute Jarrod Evans, will be heading back across the bridge for training.
Josh Hathaway, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza and Nick Tompkins, and Racing 92’s Will Rowlands are also not joining the camp.
It is still unclear if any Welsh-based players will return to their clubs before the upcoming URC games.
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Meanwhile, former Scotland international John Barclay believes that Matt Sherratt’s quick improvement of Wales’ performance indicates that previous coach Warren Gatland “got it wrong”.
Wales displayed a markedly improved performance this past weekend under the guidance of the interim coach, despite extending their losing streak in a close match against Ireland.
Demonstrating renewed vigour and a coherent attacking game, the Welsh players embodied a newfound determination that sparked pride in their national jersey.
The impressive change in form was dissected by pundits Barclay and ex-Wales skipper Sam Warburton on ‘s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
Warburton highlighted the immediate improvements enforced by Sherratt, including selecting a backline based on current form and synergy.
Warren Gatland has been slammed for Wales’ displays (Image: Getty)
Barclay weighed in on the transformation, suggesting that the effectiveness of these tweaks implied Gatland failed to make optimal decisions during his tenure.
“You can’t say all of the stuff that Warby said there and then not say that Gats got it wrong, with selection, with how he’s playing. Because those small changes were made.”
Reflecting on the Ireland match, Barclay noted a shift in power dynamics: “The perception of the power was totally different,” he said.
“We perceive [Wales] as though they don’t have the big players who can get over the gainline, but you look at the stats against one of the best defences in the world and they’re getting over the gainline.
“It is a bit chicken and egg – do you need big players who can get over the gainline and you have a strategy to support that structure, or do you have a structure that allows players that perhaps aren’t the biggest to give you gainline? [But] you showed at the weekend that you can do that.”
Commenting on the contrast between Wales’ performance under Gatland and Sherratt, Warburton admitted: “I’ve found it hard, it’s been a very difficult position for me. It’s not just Warren, any coach that loses 14 in a row, it’s very hard to defend at this level.”