Today at 08:05

ROUND THREE PREVIEW: Interim Wales coach Matt Sherratt insisted that a Six Nations showdown against Ireland was no time for experimentation despite the team being on a record streak of 14 consecutive Test defeats.

[rp-mc-game id="209|941795|2025"][/rp-mc-game]

Wales have been winless since beating Georgia in pool play at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, enduring their worst-ever string of losses.

Sherratt, the head coach at Cardiff Blues, has been taken on to oversee Wales' three remaining Six Nations games - starting with Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday before a trip to Scotland and England at home - after New Zealander Warren Gatland left his role as coach.

The Englishman made eight changes to the team that capitulated 15-22 to Italy, a defeat that sealed Gatland's fate.

"The players have a lot of familiarity so I thought it was important to pick a team that had some familiarity, around 9-10-12-13 in particular," Sherratt said of having brought in Gloucester's flyhalf Gareth Anscombe and centre Max Llewellyn.

The pair didn't make Gatland's initial Six Nations squad, but Sherratt had no hesitation in giving them, and Harlequins flyhalf Jarrod Evans, a call-up.

"I don't feel playing Ireland is a time to experiment. So just having those combinations together, who have got relationships and can talk to each other on the field, pick up each other's habits, is important," Sherratt said.

"Japan in the summer is the time to blood youngsters. But just personally, I don't feel Ireland is the time to experiment."

That said, Sherratt did name one debutant in the starting XV in the form of winger Ellis Mee, who has played just 10 games for Scarlets after joining from English second-tier club Nottingham.

"He's looked brilliant this week," conceded Sherratt.

"To see his face after selection was part of the reason you coach. He's had a really good week so I hope he just goes out and enjoys playing for his country."

Sherratt admitted that he had little time to really influence the team, with just four sessions together, including only two proper training run-outs.

"I'll be honest with you, it's tough," he said, having flown to Ireland for Cardiff's game against Connacht at the weekend only to return straight back into a Wales coaches' meeting on Sunday.

"It's bang for buck this week. It's a fine balance. I've had to keep giving myself a small talking to about not drowning the players in information.

"There's lots and lots of detail I'd like to get across to the group about how we play, but this week has been about coming in, getting the mindset right and a good positive attitude, and then just putting in a framework where the players feel comfortable enough to put all their energy into something.

"I've been pretty pleased that we've got a framework and the players have some clarity."

Sherratt insisted that there had "not been any lack of effort from this squad".

"We just needed them to all channel it in the right direction. Hopefully, we'll see some signs of that against one of the best teams in the world."

"Our challenge as a Welsh squad is to make sure we stand for something and have a clear identity... I want the players to be brave. If they see space, I don't want us to die wondering.

"If there's an error, there's an error," he said, before adding: "I've been in the game long enough now that I'm not going to just say go out and have a crack as that gets messy."

Sherrat concluded: "Historically the Wales v Ireland games have always been ferocious battles. They won't come with any change in mindset.

"Ireland are very, very good at imprinting their game on the opposition.

"They make slight tweaks but there's not a huge change from them in terms of what they do week-to-week with the provinces and the national team."

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has included one potential debutant on his bench in Leinster loosehead prop Jack Boyle.

Fellow Leinster front-row forward Dan Sheehan has been named as Ireland's latest captain and will become the 111th player to skipper the national side.

Simon Easterby said: "Playing Wales in Cardiff is one of the great Tests and we know the challenge that awaits us.

"With a new coaching set-up in place, Wales will be re-energised and determined to impress in front of a vocal home support.

"There will also be a huge Irish travelling support which, when added to the closed roof and the great respect and rivalry between the two nations, will add to an electric atmosphere.

"We have made a few changes to the squad this week, some of which were enforced, and we're confident that the 23 we have selected are primed and ready to go.

"Dan Sheehan's selection as captain is recognition of his high standing within the squad, both on and off the pitch.

"I have no doubt that he will relish the opportunity to lead Ireland for the first time.

"Equally, I would also like to congratulate Jack Boyle on his inclusion in the match day squad for the first time.

"Jack has impressed for his province, Leinster, and in the national training camps over the last number of months and he is a young forward with a bright future."

Players to watch

Sam Prendergast seems more and more to be the real deal to succeed Johnny Sexton after a player-of-the-match performance against Scotland. The loose trio of No.8 Jack Conan and flankers Josh van der Flier and Peter O'Mahony will be any opposing side's breakdown nightmare. Dan Sheehan will have some eyes on him in his first outing as captain but the experienced hooker has shown he is a man for the big moments.

[rp-mc-h2h id="209|941795|2025"][/rp-mc-h2h]

[rp-mc-form id="209|941795|2025"][/rp-mc-form]

Ireland by 22 points

15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Jac Morgan (captain), 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith.
16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Joe Roberts.

15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne , 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson , 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Andrew Porter.
16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Bundee Aki.

Saturday, February 22
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
14.15 GMT
Christophe Ridley (England)
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

With additional reporting by AFP