Matt Sherratt (Image: Getty)
Retired Cardiff captain Ellis Jenkins has backed Matt Sherratt to spark a Wales revival following his appointment as interim head coach last week.
Welsh rugby has been in crisis and the loss of Warren Gatland, a coach as much a part of Welsh success as any player, was always inevitable. Gatland’s first stint from 2008-2019 brought three Grand Slams and two Rugby World Cup semi-finals, but his second stint failed to resurrect the magic.
Wales’ losing run and abysmal show left the team in desperate need of new ideas and fresh leadership. Sherratt, also fondly referred to as ‘Jockey’, has earned himself a reputation as a shrewd and emotionally intelligent coach. With hardly any time to prepare for Wales’ match against Ireland, he has a monumental task ahead of him.
But, Jenkins is certain that Sherratt’s style, tactical acumen, and people skills can turn around a struggling side.
In an interview with Six Nations, the former Wales skipper said: “Jockey is the best attack coach I have ever worked with. His passion for the sport and commitment to learning about attack is clear to everyone who works with him.”
Sherratt’s coaching style is shaped by his background in teaching. His ability to break down complicated ideas into simple and efficient language makes him an outstanding modern coach who emphasises player understanding and participation.
Jenkins added: “As with so many of the world’s greatest trainers, Jockey has a teaching background. You can see that in the way he is able to get his point across to different people in different ways.”
Sherratt has recruited battle-hardened fly halves Gareth Anscombe and Jarrod Evans, who know his system and can implement his attack strategy. He has also recruited top-class talent Max Llewellyn to inject energy and dynamism into the team.
Jenkins agrees it is a tough task to sort all the problems out on such short notice, as he remarked: “Jockey will have to tread a tightrope between changing the team’s attacking style and having just a week to prepare. They’re on fire, and we’re not at the level that we can afford to drop players like that out.”
However, he believes Sherratt can lead Wales to an upset over the in-form Irish contingent. He looked towards the past to highlight how other teams have pulled off an upset after bringing in a new head coach: “It would not be the first time that a struggling side has changed coach during the season and achieved a shock.”