Sherratt out to finish on a high with Wales
SPOTLIGHT: Matt Sherratt says Wales will need to find the “balance between heart and brain” when they face Six Nations title contenders England in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wales’ final match of the championship will also mark the end of Sherratt’s three-game spell as interim head coach after he was parachuted in mid-tournament after a woeful defeat by Italy signalled the finish of Warren Gatland’s unsuccessful second spell in charge.
Victory over his native England would not only underline the progress made by Wales under Cardiff boss Sherratt but also end a national record 16-Test losing streak that started at the 2023 World Cup in France.
“I would love to sign off [with a win], not for me but for the players and staff who have been here for a long time,” said Sherratt after naming his team on Thursday. “It would be huge for them.
“There will be emotion on Saturday. It is getting that balance between heart and brain.
“There will be stacks of heart. We need to get our game on the pitch.
“If that win comes, it would give everyone a massive lift, especially against England at home.”
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Scarlets centre Joe Roberts will make his first professional start on the wing, replacing Tom Rogers, who suffered a fractured thumb in the early stages of Wales’ 29-35 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.
Sherratt has made one other change from that game, where Wales gave Scotland a scare with a late rally after falling 8-35 behind, with Aaron Wainwright installed at blindside flanker.
Wainwright’s call-up means Wales captain Jac Morgan switches to his more familiar openside role and Leicester’s Tommy Reffell drops to the bench.
Roberts impressed on the wing after going on for Rogers in Edinburgh to win his fourth cap.
Wales require at least a point against England to have any hope of avoiding a repeat wooden spoon after finishing bottom of the Six Nations table last season.
England, meanwhile know a maximum return of five points from victory with a bonus point would secure a top-two finish and possibly even the title were leaders France to slip-up against Scotland later Saturday.
Sherratt, reflecting on his time in charge of Wales, said: “I have loved it. It has been brilliant for me and my family.”
He added: “I know we haven’t had the results, but there is a huge amount of effort and positivity in camp.
“We will keep plugging away, and hopefully that will turn at some point.”
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