Wales announce new coaching team minutes before squad revealed

THE CARDIFF COACH WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE CHARGE OF WALES ON AN INTERIM BASIS 11:31, 20 May 2025Updated 12:34, 20 May 2025 The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt will

take charge of Wales' summer's tour in Japan, and he has since named his squad today. The WRU have also confirmed his backroom staff for the tour, with Danny Wilson, Gethin

Jenkins, T. Rhys Thomas and Adam Jones all involved. Wales take on the Brave Blossoms in Kitakyushu on July 5 in the first Test, before facing them in Kobe the following week. However, they

are still without a permanent head coach after Warren Gatland left midway through this year's Six Nations after a dismal run of 14 straight Test defeats. Sherratt, who has been in

charge at the Arms Park for the last two seasons, took over from Gatland on an interim basis for the final three matches of the tournament. Wales still ended the tournament winless, with

their losing stretch in international rugby now up to 17 games. That has seen them fall to 12th in the world - just one place ahead of Japan. Sherratt has now announced his squad for the

tour, naming six uncapped players. You can follow that live here. Known as Jockey, the former Ospreys and Worcester coach proved popular with players in the Six Nations. Sources note how he

brought considerable detail to Wales' game - something that was understood to have been absent in the final throes of Gatland's second stint. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on

Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Ultimately, in the Six Nations, Sherratt was brought in at short notice - but this summer will see

the coach able to select his own staff and playing squad. Harlequins boss Wilson will look after the forwards, while former Wales defence coach Jenkins - who now looks after that area of the

game with Sherratt at Cardiff - will also be involved. Thomas, brought in by Sherratt during the Six Nations on secondment from Gloucester, will again work as a forwards skills coach, while

Jones will be looking after the scrum. Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has yet to be confirmed as part of the coaching team as a kicking coach, but is still expected to be involved. Current

assistants Jonathan Humphreys, Rob Howley, Neil Jenkins and Mike Forshaw won't be involved in Japan. "We are very grateful to Matt for agreeing to pick up the reins again with the

Wales senior men’s side, on an interim basis for the Japan tour," said WRU CEO Abi Tierney. “The impact and positive difference he made to the squad in a very short period of time

during the Six Nations was welcomed. It was a tough campaign but we know we are in safe hands whilst we complete the final stages of our recruitment process for a new permanent head coach.

“Thanks also to both Adam Jones and TR Thomas who will reprise their roles in Matt’s backroom team and to Gethin Jenkins and Danny Wilson who have also answered our call to help build the

right team around him for this tour.” Sherratt added: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to return and coach Wales again this summer. It’s an exciting prospect to go to Japan for two

matches in July. “Thank you to Cardiff for permitting Gethin and I to take up this opportunity. Thank you also to Harlequins and Gloucester for allowing Danny, Adam and TR to join the

coaching team for these two fixtures. Article continues below “We are all looking forward to getting into camp and starting preparations for our summer campaign.” As for Sherratt's

first Wales squad, it'll soon become apparent who is involved - with the announcement being made around midday. However, with just two Welsh players called up for the Lions' tour

of Australia, there's unlikely to be many surprises.