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New Wales skills coach T. Rhys Thomas who joined the Welsh set up on a secondment from Gallagher Premiership side Gloucester Rugby of which he will return to at the end of the 2025 Six Nations, like interim head coach Matt Sherratt will do with Cardiff Rugby.

One of the main talking points from Tuesday’s press day was the announcement of “world class” Dewi Lake being added to their Six Nations squad. The Ospreys hooker has captained Wales in recent times but hasn’t been involved so far in this year’s Championship due to being sidelined because of a bicep injury. He returns at a crucial time as Wales face both Scotland and England in the coming weeks.

“As soon as he comes in, he has to be in contention,” said Thomas.

“He’s world class. He’s got the potential to be at the very top of this game.

Lake was brought back in on Tuesday but also announced was that there would be six Welsh regional players being released to play in Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship. It doesn’t end there for Sherratt’s squad as 13 more players have returned back to their clubs in England and France during this fallow week.

“If I’ve got my Gloucester hat on, I’m happy as they’re going back there,” insisted Thomas.

“The agreement is the agreement. We can’t really do much about that. I’d love to have more of the lads.

“The lads that have stayed behind today, we’ve tried to instil even more of the shape and relay the themes Scotland will pose. The more time we have with the lads, hopefully the better we’ll be moving forward.

At the current moment there is some sort of feel good factor back in Welsh Rugby, but last Saturday was another defeat but this one felt different. The demoralising 43-0 defeat against France to begin the tournament and then followed by a 22-15 defeat to Italy, left a lot questions to be answered.

But with new head coach, Sherratt Wales looked a completely different team that pushed last year’s Six Nations Champions all the way at a boisterous Principality Stadium. Thanks to tries from both Jac Morgan and Tom Rogers accompanied by the boot of Gareth Anscombe, Wales for the first time this Championship found themselves ahead but at the end of the day it proved not to be enough against Ireland.

Despite the result meaning Wales’ 15th consecutive defeat, there is a sense of optimism whether they can put an end to that sooner rather than later.

“We had three training sessions really. If I’m honest, you could see things coming through on Tuesday and Thursday. We hoped there was crossover, as things were getting better as the week went on, especially the forward shape stuff. Just the first three minutes of play was the stuff we installed on Tuesday and we fed that.

“We looked at the ratios. We have seen it before really. It was a lot more passes than usual. It’s just the shape we’re trying to play, making it easier for forwards to be in the right position and giving them time on the ball.

“To give them credit, they still make the decisions. You can’t premeditate a tip-on and pass out the back. It’s on them. But it’s giving them opportunities to be in the right positions. The ball movement was excellent.

“In Wales and in rugby, we’re quite quick to see what people can’t do. We’ve been very hot on seeing what they can do and playing to people’s strengths,” Thomas concluded.

Ellis Mee, announced his arrival on the biggest stages of them all last Saturday as he made his international debut in great fashion against Ireland. Just 12 months ago the 21-year-old was playing for English Championship side, Nottingham Rugby where he was voted players’, fans’ and overall player for the 2023-24 season for the ‘Archers’.

Since then he joined United Rugby Championship side, Scarlets where he made his competitive debut for the region against the Ospreys. In his time at the Parc y Scarlets based side, Mee had also featured in the Super Rygbi Cymru for Llandovery RFC, where he made two appearances before returning back to the regional side.

He qualifies for Wales through his mother from Newport and against Ireland in round three of the 2025 Six Nations he certainly lit the pitch up with a brilliant debut performance.

“It was an unreal experience from the start to the finish really,” said Mee.

“I’d obviously been to the stadium as a kid to watch games, but being on the pitch was just a different feeling.

“It’s gone so quick since I started rugby. I only played level two Championship rugby a year ago, so to be able to pull on the Welsh shirt was an unbelievable feeling.

“Going from Nottingham to the Scarlets that was quicker and now from Scarlets to international was another step-up.”

The 21-year-old was scouted by Scarlets’ recruitment officer, former Wales back rower and Olympic Sevens silver medallist James Davies. Since then his professional rugby career has been on an upward trajectory, Mee added: “Coming into the camp, I’m obviously still quite young being 21 so I thought it would be a good experience for me.

“With Sanjay (Liam Williams) coming in as well I thought I’d be able to learn off him as well. I never thought I’d get a chance. But I got my chance and I’ve taken it.

“Coming in on my first day and seeing all the players that I’d watched on TV was surreal. Now I’m mates with them all.”

“Growing up, obviously there’s the main ones like Shane Williams and stuff like that, but then obviously watching Liam Williams, because I’m still quite young, watching him through his career, going to the Lions tour and everything like that, he was a big idol for me.”

Mee was born in Nottingham, but spent time as a child in Adelaide, Australia. “Growing up, I played a little bit of cricket as well,” added Mee.

“Obviously, in Australia it is massive, cricket’s massive over there. I had a little go at cricket, but never found my groove in it, so I gave it up quite quickly.

“Everyone played Aussie Rules for fun in school but I never played it properly. There isn’t too much rugby in Adelaide, it’s more rugby league and Aussie Rules.

“It was at Keyworth in the junior ages. Before that I was in Australia playing for a junior club in Adelaide. So when I came back I was at Keyworth and then went to West Bridgeford as well. From there I went to college, through the university, and then ended up at Nottingham.

Whilst balancing his studies at Nottingham Trent where he was studying Sports and Fitness management, during his time there he was playing in the BUCS Rugby League for Nottingham and from there went onto to play for Nottingham Rugby. On coming through a Championship club system like Nottingham, Mee stated: “The biggest difference is in the coaching. In club rugby you don’t have many coaches.

“In Nottingham there was a backs, forwards and head coach. Just having individual coaches showing you how they want you to play has helped a lot. The main coach who brought me on was Dave Ross. He was my coach at Nottingham Trent Uni. I was at Brooksby SMB College, which is linked with Leicester, but I was never in an academy,” concluded Mee.

Despite not stopping Ireland from claiming their 14th Triple Crown on Saturday, Wales played their best game since the 2023 Rugby World Cup where they played Georgia as interim boss Matt Sherratt has brought back belief into Welsh Rugby.

With former head coach, Warren Gatland departing between the Italy and Ireland game, Sherratt who admitted to having only four sessions with the Welsh squad has vastly improved them. In the cauldron of the Principality Stadium, it seemed like for the first time in a while that Cardiff was rocking again and that was apparent when it came to Anthem time when ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ was belted out.

Wales went in at the break 13-10 up and left many Welsh fans with a sense of optimism with what the final 40 minutes would hold when the players headed for their half time orange (other fruits are available). However they fell to their 15th consecutive test defeat and still have been starved of a Test victory since 2023. But the question is now whether Wales can replicate that performance against Scotland in two weeks time.

Interim head coach, Sherratt asked for ambition and emotion from his squad and they delivered in abundance. One of the many players who stepped up and delivered for the whole 80 minutes was former Wales captain, Dafydd Jenkins who had a solid performance after missing the Italian encounter due to illness.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the result,” said 22-year-old Jenkins.

“It’s never nice losing, especially in your home stadium, but there were some real positives in that performance.

“The boys have picked up our new shape, and that’s something we can really look forward to getting better at moving forward. We’re going to work hard to make sure we come out the other side of results, because it is all about results.

“We understand it is not just going to fall into place for us, we are going to have to work extremely hard. The Six Nations is a very competitive competition.

“But Ireland are one of the top teams in the world and if we are competing with them we are in a good place at the moment. The learnings we have taken individually and as a team are going to be huge for us.”

Unlike before the other two away trips in this year’s Six Nations there is a sense of real optimism and Jenkins is looking forward to his task against Scotland in two weeks time at Murrayfield.

“I am not playing the game to lose, I promise you that, and if we didn’t believe in this group of players, there would be no point going out on the pitch.

“There is confidence in terms of the way we played and just listening to how the crowd were, I think they all saw that as well. We really wanted to show the crowd how much we wanted it in terms of our emotion and how proud we are to play for Wales.

“I hope we did that. There were some difficult conversations last year, but we are just pushing to move forward.”

Cardiff Rugby fall just short of claiming the Regional Age-Grade Under 18s Championship as the Ospreys win 28-25 in a nailbiter at a drenched Cardiff Arms Park.  

Tries from Gabe Williams, Ioan Penry, Tom Howe and penalty kicks from Lloyd Lucas proved to not be enough as on 64 minutes outside half, Logan Jones slotted the decisive three points which secured the visitors the victory. 

The rain came down in torrents before kick-off to make conditions difficult for both sides, but that didn’t stop the Blue and Blacks from making a quick start. After a scrum outside half, Ben Coomer put in a brilliant 50-22 and from the resulting lineout, the Blue and Blacks won a penalty. However, after a kick into the corner, Gabe Williams successfully took the ball at the lineout, but after the catch and drive, the visitors regained possession. 

Williams then opened the scoring up after 11 minutes, which came from brilliant passes from Ioan Leyshon and Lloyd Lucas. Fullback Lucas could not add the extras as the hosts went into an early 5-0 lead. Moments later, the Blue and Blacks claimed their second. Inside centre, Ioan Penry, who has been playing a lot for Cardiff RFC in the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup, showed his strength as he crossed the whitewash. Lucas then added the extras which put his side into a 12-0 lead. 

A response from the Ospreys soon followed, and after the Blue and Blacks were penalised outside half, Logan Jones kicked into the corner. Then Thomas Edwards brilliantly broke away from the catch and drive to score the visitors first. The hosts then regained possession straight from the restart as, after a brilliant chase by winger Rhys Cummings, gathered and put the visitors under immediate pressure. Then after back-to-back penalties, Cardiff found themselves metres out, and after a driving maul Tom Howe crossed over for the Blue and Blacks third. 

Then, on the stroke of halftime, the visitors reduced the deficit as openside, Edwards from another catch and drive crossed. Outside half, Jones added the extras but it was the hosts who went in at the break 19-10 up. 

That momentum carried over into the second half as the visitors didn’t take long to claim their third of the afternoon. Winger Noah Mason showed his pace on the outside to crossover in the corner after the Ospreys’ backline showcased some brilliant handling. 

Mason was then involved in the build up for his side’s fourth of the encounter after a brilliant break and kick in behind to get his side up into the Blue and Blacks 22. Then after a handful of phases on the hosts’ line replacement, Sam Gardner crossed over. This time around outside half, Jones added the extras which put the Ospreys into the lead for the first time. 

That lead didn’t last long as the visitors were penalised around the breakdown area and, Lucas added the three points. His boot was instrumental again two minutes as he regained the lead for the Blue and Blacks after the visitors were penalised for being offside. Jones then slotted two penalties in the closing moments, which secured his side the Regional Age-Grade Under 18’s Championship.

Cardiff: 25

Tries: Gabe Williams (11’), Ioan Penry (15’), Tom Howe (27’)

Conversions: Lloyd Lucas (15’, 27’)

Penalties: Lloyd Lucas (47’, 49’)

Ospreys: 28

Tries: Thomas Edwards (35’, 44’), Noah Mason (41’)

Conversions: Logan Jones (44’)

Penalties: Logan Jones (51’, 64’)

Cardiff Rugby Starting XV: 15. Lloyd Lucas, 14. Rhys Wyatt, 13. Ioan Leyshon, 12. Ioan Penry, 11. Rhys Cummings, 10. Ben Coomer, 9. Mason Daniels; 1. Dylan Barratt, 2. Tom Howe, 3. Jack Clease, 4. James Harding, 5. Gabe Williams, 6. Sonny McCabe, 7. Alfie Prygodzicz ©, 8. Ioan Dacey

Replacements: 16. Taylor Coles, 17. Harvey Jones, 18. Sion Hill, 19. Lucca Alexander-White, 20. Brayon Kamanga, 21. Ben Bora, 22. Arthur Garfield, 23. Jake Pontecki 

Ospreys Starting XV: 15. Cian Evans, 14. Harrison Burke, 13. Aled Davies, 12. Jack Hoskins, 11. Noah Mason, 10. Logan Jones, 9. Caelan Carson-Jones; 1. Logan Heaven-Hearne, 2. Logan Lloyd, 3. Jayden Maybank, 4. Freddie Millward, 5. Alfie Thomas, 6. Elis Cox, 7. Thomas Edwards, 8. Sam Morgan

Replacements: 16. Mckenzie Scales, 17. Josh Ireland, 18. Callum Boland, 19. Cody-Ray David, 20. Sam Gardner, 21. Louis Cooper, 22, Mackenzie Williams, 23. Evan Jones

Wales made Ireland work for their Triple crown as Simon Easterby’s men had to come from 13-10 behind to win at Principality Stadium. 

Interim boss Matt Sherratt, in four sessions that he has had with Wales, has vastly improved them defensively and in attack. This performance in their first home game of the Championship was by far their best yet. Tries from Jac Morgan and Tom Rogers gave Wales a lifeline but after crosses from Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne and the boot of Sam Prendergast being on point saw Ireland take the spoils and claim their 14th Triple Crown. 

Best Wales performance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

The last time Wales had tasted a victory at Test level was against Georgia during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and since then, they have been on the run of 14 straight Test defeats. However, they came into this encounter on the back of defeats to France (43-0) and Italy (22-15) but under interim head coach, Sherratt Wales looked a completely different team. After being left out, the Cardiff boss brought Max Llewellyn and Gareth Anscombe straight into the XV and numerous other players looked to be back to their best.

“I thought if there were 50/50s, they went for it,” stated Sherratt.

“If there was an offload to be thrown, it was thrown. We tried to attack space as much as we could. I was really pleased with the forwards with their ball movement late. We had a shape which is difficult to run, but they did well with it.

“I think we got more of the training week on the field than I expected. I was very pleased. It shows a good group, very engaged. I asked for two things, show the crowd some emotion and ambition. We did that in the structure.”

Between the Italy clash and Ireland, former Wales head coach Warren Gatland left his role by mutual consent with the Welsh Rugby Union announcing that Sherratt would be the head coach for the remainder of the Six Nations. 

On the change of coach, Wales captain Jac Morgan said: “It’s been a good week with a lot of learning. I thought the boys in the squad have been brilliant. They wanted to learn this week. There’s more out there we’ve shown than maybe we expected. 

“It’s a big step forward. It was close against this Ireland team. They’re one of the best in the world. We take a lot of positives from that. We take that into the next couple of weeks. There’s always pride in that jersey. The boys always give 100 per cent.” 

Wales now head to Scotland in the next round of the Six Nations before concluding against England in the Welsh capital. However, the interim head coach will be without some players due to it being a fallow week, where English and France base players return to their clubs for the week. 

On this, Sherratt stated: “I’d love to have more players available in a fallow week. But we can do little bits and pieces. 

“Today has whet people’s appetites. I’ve been coaching for a long time. There’s always going to be a bounce. It’s about building on that bounce.

On the Scotland game, Skipper Morgan added: “We look forward to the Scotland game. 

“We’re looking forward to building on what we’ve learned this week. We’ll review the game and get back on the training field.

“It felt a bit different. It felt good to have a clear plan in attack. The message Jockey has been driving in attack is about enjoyment. We went out to play in a way and enjoy it.”

For the first time since 2018 Wales U20s recorded a win over Ireland U20s at Rodney Parade, which is a stadium they haven’t played at since 2008.

A penalty try and brilliance from Steffan Emanuel, who showed his pace to score, was accompanied by the boots of both Harri Wilde and Harri Ford as Wales made it back-to-back wins as they put aside Ireland 20-12 in Newport. 

That kick from Ford on 78 minutes proved vital as it meant Ireland left Wales without a losing bonus point, and on the other hand this win puts them up to second place in the U20 Six Nations table.

Speaking after a massive defensive display from his players Wales U20’s head coach, Richard Whiffin said: “What an outstanding defensive effort from the boys.

“We were under pressure territory and possession-wise. We had a really smart defensive performance as well, like you know we were good discipline-wise we didn’t bring the referee into it. 

“The boys delivered the plan that we spoke around, it was absolutely biblical an hour and a half before the game. We spoke around our defence being connected if they (Ireland) wanted to move the ball they would make errors and Steff (Emanuel) pounced on one. 

“The boys grew in belief. They knew with the conditions as tough as it was Ireland weren’t going to be able to put as much width on the game as they normally do. 

“It was going to be a kick battle, which in the second half we certainly kicked a little bit longer and managed to gain a little bit more field position. 

Ireland came into the game on the back of a away winning streak of 12-games (excluding 2021) and so far in this year’s Championship, they have only picked up a win over Scotland last timeout and lost to England at home. 

“They are a good team, a well-coached team,” added Whiffin. 

“You can see the connection and the cohesion that they have as a group. We felt with our connection in defence, we thought we could pressure their ball movement and force errors and that’s exactly what we did in getting those early scores. 

“We then built more and more belief with the fact they weren’t going to hurt us defensively and I thought the pleasing thing was the discipline. 

“Massive credit goes to the forward pack. We had some crucial scrum penalties at times where we felt we had a slight in, in the game. The forwards were smart when they called for the opportunity to go for penalties.”

For the first time since the 2017-18 (excluding the 2021 Championship), U20 Six Nations, Wales made it back-to-back wins as they put aside Ireland in front of a boisterous Rodney Parade.

In the first Wales U20 match at Rodney Parade since 2008, Wales looked to carry on a trend that they had set that year, where they won all three of their games in Newport. An early penalty try was followed by brilliance by Steffan Emanuel as Wales at the break, led 14-12. Then penalties from both Harri Wilde and Harri Ford secured Wales a historic in the U20 Six Nations.

It was a fast start to proceedings as Wales found themselves on the front foot immediately after a penalty kick into the 22 by outside half Harri Wilde. Then, at the first time of asking from a catch and drive, the visitors turned the ball over and won a scrum.

However, the hosts regained possession after winning a penalty, and from the kick into the corner, a powerful driving maul followed. After it was brought down, referee Morgan White awarded the hosts a penalty try as Wales went into an early 7-0 just after three minutes. 

Ireland then looked to have responded accordingly, as after spreading the ball to the outside winger Charlie Molony looked to have crossed, but the ball went forward.

On 14 minutes blindside, Michael Foy made a brilliant break through the hosts’ defence to put his side metres out. It looked like Ireland may have crossed over after some big hits on the solid Wales’ defence, but after another TMO check the try was disallowed. 

Inside centre, Steffan Emanuel scored Wales’ second moments later after crossing the whitewash. This came from a brilliant kick upfield from the Cardiff Rugby player, who then won the kick chase as he regained possession and crossed. Wilde added the extras on 15 minutes as Wales went further into the lead.

Later in the first half, Wilde was penalised for being offside inside the hosts’ 22. After kicking into the corner, a catch and drive followed and hooker Henry Walker crossed over for Ireland’s first of the evening. Fullback Daniel Green was unable to add the extras. (14-5). 

Prior to the interval, Emanuel’s opposite number, Eoghan Smyth powered his way over to score Ireland’s second of the encounter. Green this time around added the extras and reduced the deficit to just two points at the break. 

The second half began with some early exchanges with the boot from sides, but outside half Wilde scored the first points of the half. The visitors were penalised and the 19-year-old calmly extended his side’s lead to five points on 49 minutes before being replaced by Harri Ford shortly after.

Ireland held a lot of possession moving into the final quarter but was unable to get past an inspired Welsh team who showed a lot of strength at times in defence. 

Replacement outside half, Tom Wood put a brilliantly timed kick in behind and from the resulting lineout the visitors regained possession and won a penalty. There was more heroic defending on show from the hosts as they held the ball up over the line after continuous pressure from Ireland in attack.

In the closing moments, Ireland was then penalised around the scrum and Harri Ford, like he did in Treviso slotted the three points as Wales made it back-to-back wins in this year’s 2025 U20 Six Nations. 

FT: Wales 20-12 Ireland  

Wales: 20

Tries: Steffan Emanuel (15’)

Penalties: Harri Wilde (49’), Harri Ford (78’)

Conversions: Harri Wilde (15’)

Penalty Tries: 1 (3’)

Ireland: 12

Tries: Henry Walker (26’), Eoghan Smyth (39’)

Penalties: 

Conversions: Daniel Green (40’)

Referee: Morgan White (HKCR)

Assistant Referee 1: Jeremy Rozier (FFR)

Assistant Referee 2: Ru Campbell (SRU)

Attendance: 3,641

Player of the Match: Sam Scott

WALES U20: Jack Woods (Bath); Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears), Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks), Steff Emanuel (Cardiff), Tom Bowen (Cardiff); Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Logan Franklin (Dragons); Ioan Emanuel (Bath), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bears), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears), Tom Cottle (RGC), Dan Gemine (Ospreys), Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers) (c), Evan Minto (Dragons).

Replacements: Evan Wood (Cardiff Met), Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), Owain James (Dragons), Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs), Caio James (Gloucester), Sion Davies (Cardiff), Harri Ford (Dragons), Elijah Evans (Cardiff).

IRELAND U20: Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster); Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster), Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster); Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster); Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster), Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt).

Replacements: Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster), Paddy Moore (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster), David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster).

Matt Sherratt will take charge of his first Wales game tomorrow afternoon at Principality Stadium as he begins his tenure as Wales’ interim head coach. However, the Cardiff Rugby coach will return back to his regional side at the end of the 2025 Six Nations. The Welsh Rugby Union have insisted they are looking for a new head coach before the summer tour of Japan.

One of the men on the shortlist is former Australia and Argentina head coach and also former Lebanon Rugby League coach, Michael Cheika. The 57-year-old is currently leading Leicester Tigers on a one year deal in the Gallagher Premiership and it’s expected that deal will not be extended. He is the bookmakers favourite to take over from former head coach, Warren Gatland.

Tommy Reffell who will be getting his first start of the 2025 Six Nations tomorrow stated: “I haven’t spoken to Cheiks since I’ve been in Wales camp.

“I’m sure he’ll have his own ideas of what he wants to do but I haven’t spoken to him.

“Yeah, Cheiks wants the best for us boys at Leicester and he wants to push the team as far as he possibly can. He’s a great coach and he wants to improve the players every day.”

Wales are currently on a run of 14 straight Test defeats, but head coach Sherratt has made 8 personnel changes to the Welsh side that lost 22-15 in Rome last timeout. Wales take on Ireland in their first home match of this year’s Championship tomorrow. This is before travelling up to Scotland next and then concluding their Six Nations campaign against England at Principality Stadium.

“Ireland are a very cohesive team,” admitted Reffell.

“They have been brilliant over the last few years and they always seem to be on the same page.
It will be a tough job, but we’ll see if we can slow them down a bit.

“Matt has come in with fresh ideas and given us the licence to be brave. He wants us to have a go, but doesn’t want us to be reckless.

“There is a plan in place, but we are at the Principality Stadium and we have to go out and enjoy it as well. We have to get the enjoyment back in camp and play the way we want to in what will be a tough Test.”

Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has made eight personnel changes from the team that lost 22-15 away to Italy last timeout.

Saturday afternoon will see Sherratt take the reins for the remainder of the Six Nations as he begins his tenure as head coach against Ireland at Principality Stadium. 

Wales are on the run of 14 consecutive Test defeats, which is probably the main reason why Wales are such wide outsiders according to the bookmakers as they take on last year’s Six Nations Champions in their first home match of the 2025 Six Nations.

Scroll down for the five talking points from this afternoon’s pre-match press conference. 

1: Reasoning behind making eight changes 

“There’s numerous reasons,” said Sherratt. 

“A couple of little injury doubts. And then probably just in general, my mindset coming in was just to make sure that I enjoy it and I try to do things my way, with the way I think the game should be played. So some of the selections are geared towards that. But if there’s one word to describe Ireland, it’s cohesive. They’re a team that’s been together for a very long time. 

“They’re very Leinster-heavy and have mostly come through two schools. 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. 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. Japan in the summer is the time to blood youngsters. But just personally, I don’t feel Ireland is the time to experiment.”

2: Mee set for debut on the wing 

21-year-old Ellis Mee will debut on the wing as he replaces Josh Adams, who is out due to a potential hamstring injury. Mee, since joining from Nottingham Rugby in the summer, has made just 10 starts for the Scarlets so far this season. 

“He’s looked brilliant this week,” said Sherratt, referring to the youngster who qualifies for Wales through his mother from Newport. 

“Obviously, one of the reasons you coach is to name the teams and see a young kid who has dreamt of playing for his country and getting that opportunity. I’m sure his family are massively proud of him. 

“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.

3: ‘We needed some players who have relationships with each other’- said Sherratt

After less than a week after being announced as a call-up to the squad Gloucester Rugby’s, Gareth Anscombe starts in the 10 shirt for the first time in the Six Nations since 2019. Anscombe, like Jarrod Evans and Max Llewellyn, have been previously left out by former head coach Gatland but all three are included in the Matchday 23 to face Ireland.

“Obviously, with Liam Williams and Owen Watkin going out of the squad, I felt we needed some players who have relationships with each other and play with each other every week.

“I’ve coached Gareth and Max so they know my style of play a bit. That was an advantage. Gareth is very good at driving the week. With Tomos and Gareth, I’ve got relationships with them and I knew they’d grab what I was trying to do and spread it through the team. It’s just that familiarity.”

4: Update on Josh Adams 

On Adams’ injury, Sherratt added: “Josh has just picked up a slight hamstring injury. We haven’t got any clarity on any return to play. It happened yesterday.

“He wouldn’t have been 100 per cent, so he dropped out of the squad.”

5: ‘They’re very, very well-coached’- Sherratt on what he expects from Ireland.

Sherratt comes into the role on the back of 14 straight Test defeats and many have serious doubts whether Wales can get the win. Some bookmakers have Wales as 22-1 outsiders and if they fail to win it would mean they would surpass their previous losing streak during the period of the 1994-96 Five Nations, as it would mean their ninth straight defeat in the Six Nations.

“Listen, they’re very, very well-coached. Their coaching staff have been in the game a long time. They’ll understand there’s not a lot of huge change we can make in three games. I think historically the Wales Ireland games have always been ferocious battles. 

“They won’t come with any change in mindset. As I said previously, 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. 

“Listen, they’ll have probably looked at some of the Cardiff footage in terms of what we do with lineout launch and phase attack, but I’m pretty sure they’ll concentrate more on what they do rather than what we do,” added Sherratt. 

Matt Sherratt has announced his team to play Ireland at Principality Stadium on Saturday, 22nd February (kick-off 14:15, live on BBC 1).

One of the main talking points is Scarlets’, Ellis Mee will make his debut on the wing. The 21-year-old has been impressive for the Parc y Scarlets side since joining from Nottingham Rugby last summer. However, Mee is one of a number of changes that head coach, Sherratt has made as he will take charge of Wales for the remainder of the Six Nations.

There’s also one positional change to the side who lost 22-15 to Italy last timeout as Cardiff Rugby’s, Ben Thomas moves to his preferred position of 12. This allows, Gareth Anscombe into the starting XV, who was called up to the squad last week having been left out by Warren Gatland. He wears the 10 jersey and joins Tomos Williams to complete the half back pairing.

Scroll down for the Wales team to play Ireland

Completely New Front Row

Tighthead, WillGriff John is set to win just his third cap having last featured for Wales against Fiji in 2021. Nicky Smith who made his 50th appearance for Wales against France replaces Gareth Thomas as Elliot Dee gets his first start of the Championship with Evan Lloyd dropping onto the bench.

Jenkins is Back Fit

Having missed the clash in Rome after dropping out due to illness, Dafydd Jenkins returns and is joined by Racing 92’s Will Rowlands in the second row.

Caption Morgan Switches Sides

Wales Captain, Jac Morgan switches from openside to blindside as Leicester Tigers Tommy Reffell comes into the starting XV. Experienced, Taulupe Falatau remains in the 8 jersey.

Welcome Return at Ten

Gloucester Rugby pairing of both Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe complete the half backs as Anscombe is thrown straight into the starting lineup.

Huge Changes in the Centres

After not being involved in the initial Six Nations squad, Max Llewellyn has been announced to start in the 13 jersey as he replaces Nick Tompkins. Also, Ben Thomas moves back to his preferred inside centre spot after starting his last two games for Wales at 10.

One Debutant in the Back Three

As stated young Ellis Mee will make his international debut for Wales on the left wing as Tom Rogers drops onto right wing. Blair Murray who was one the standouts against Italy starts at 15.

Wales Starting XV:

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets, 5 Caps)

14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets, 7 Caps)

13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby, 5 Caps)

12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby, 9 Caps)

11. Ellis Mee (Scarlets, Debut)

10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby, 39 Caps)

9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby, 61 Caps)

1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers, 52 Caps)

2. Elliot Dee (Dragons RFC, 53 Caps)

3. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks, 2 Caps)

4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92, 38 Caps)

5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Tigers, 20 Caps)

6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys, 20 Caps) – Captain

7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers, 24 Caps)

8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby, 105 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby, 7 Caps)

17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys, 37 Caps)

18. Henry Thomas (Scarlets, 6 Caps)

19. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby, 3 Caps)

20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons RFC, 54 Caps)

21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons RFC, 7 Caps)

22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins, 8 Caps)

23. Joe Roberts (Scarlets, 2 Caps)