In 2012, when I was at my first club the Ospreys, Sean Holley departed as our head coach midway through the season and Steve Tandy took over.
Steve won’t mind me saying this, but he didn’t change too much. We didn’t train a lot and sometimes even using weights were optional! But what he did do was manage the group really well.
He provided a fresh voice and the energy in the team was immediately different.
We went on a brilliant winning run off the back of that which culminated in beating Leinster to win the RaboDirect Pro12. I’ll never forget the memory of that league success because I had to convert Shane Williams’ try for the win.
No rugby player ever shirks work, but occasionally if you’re told you can finish at 11.30am and have a flat white, then it’s undoubtedly going to improve the mood in camp.
Sometimes it’s not rocket science. The changes don’t have to be too dramatic.
Matt Sherratt has quickly built confidence into the Wales squad after taking interim charge
Wales looked like a team transformed despite falling to defeat against Ireland last weekend
From speaking to players, Sherratt has kept training short and sharp, with simple messages
And that’s what Matt Sherratt has done with Wales. From speaking to some of the players in the camp, he’s kept training short and sharp with simple but key messages.
Matt, known as ‘Jockey’ in Welsh rugby because of his short stature, has quickly built confidence in the squad. That much was evident by the way the team played in their round three defeat by Ireland. Wales were a team transformed.
During their 14-Test losing run under Warren Gatland, Wales were not only not winning, they were also playing poorly.
In Jockey’s first game, Wales lost again but the way they played brought a much-needed feel-good factor back after 18 months of misery. I always thought Wales would get a bounce under Jockey.
We often see football teams improve quickly when a new manager comes in. Rugby doesn’t have football’s hiring and firing culture – thankfully – but Wales showed there can be similarities between the two sports in how a side’s fortunes can change.
In their 28-17 defeat by Ireland, Wales looked a totally different outfit.
The challenge now is to ensure the Irish performance wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It has to be built on now with Scotland and England to come.
If Wales play in the same way they did against Ireland – with tempo, physicality and attacking flair – then they have a real chance of a victory in their last two games.
If Wales play in the same way they did against Ireland they can win in their final two games
Wales must look to build on their display against Scotland, even if they don’t win in Edinburgh
I really believe that now.
Wales have Scotland up next. What’s great for Wales is that in my opinion, building on the Ireland display does not necessarily have to involve winning in Edinburgh.
Of course, that would be fantastic for them. But I think producing a similar or even better performance than the one against Ireland would constitute success.
To that end, Scotland is another free shot for Wales. Nothing would be worse on the back of Ireland than going to Murrayfield and getting hammered.
But I don’t think that will happen. I think there will be a lot of pressure on Scotland after their losses to Ireland and England. This is supposed to be a golden generation of Scottish players, but for whatever reason they don’t seem to be able to compete for the title.
Scotland do play some brilliant attacking rugby. And Wales were much improved with the ball against Ireland, so I think the game is set-up to be a potential classic.
Wales’ players don’t want to be plucky losers. The next fortnight is a good chance for them to change that. I’d expect Jockey to pick an unchanged XV for Scotland.
Gareth Anscombe should have recovered from the head injury which forced him off against Ireland. Josh Adams is one who could come back in after he missed Ireland due to a hamstring injury, while Dewi Lake should come on to the bench after his recall.
Gareth Anscombe is a key figure and ensured Wales played in the right areas against Ireland
His selection allowed Ben Thomas to move from fly-half to centre alongside Max Llewellyn
Wales had a lovely shape to their attack with a young back three including Ellis Mee impressing
Gareth is a key figure. He did a brilliant job against Ireland, providing detail and control. He also leads a Test week well which is a really important job as a No 10.
Gareth’s selection allowed Ben Thomas to move from fly-half to centre alongside Max Llewellyn and that trio was nicely balanced. Gareth didn’t waste the team’s energy.
Wales had a lovely shape to their attack and their young back three of Ellis Mee, Tom Rogers and Blair Murray was very good. What Gareth did well was ensure Wales played in the right areas. He and Tomos Williams kicked really well too. Jockey had just four training sessions with the team pre-Ireland. He will ensure the players stay grounded.
Wales’ next step is to win. Their attack can improve even further. Jockey has worked wonders and his clever coaching meant that all of a sudden, Wales not only moved the ball nicely but also were able to win collisions and go forward.
I was impressed by the way Wales created more one-versus-one battles by moving the point of contact. They went up the middle and then instead of playing one way, went back down the short side to stop Ireland’s line speed. There were tip and pull-back passes at the line. It was very promising to see.
With two weeks to prepare for Scotland, Jockey hasn’t been helped by losing so many players who are at English clubs as they have had to leave the camp.
Those rules have existed for a long time. But I’ve never really understood them and that’s even more the case now that the Premiership doesn’t have matches in the Six Nations window. I don’t see why Wales’ players at English clubs have to go back if they’re not going to play. If there were Premiership matches, I would be of a different view.
But guys like Gareth aren’t needed to play Premiership Cup games for Gloucester, so surely common sense should prevail and he stays with Wales?
Wales created a lot more one-versus-one battles against Ireland by moving the point of contact
With Scotland playing brilliant attacking rugby, it could be set up for a classic at Murrayfield
Sherratt’s preparations for Scotland will be hindered by losing players to English clubs
I was very lucky that when I was playing for Northampton, I’d often be able to come to an agreement with my coach at Saints, Chris Boyd, that I didn’t have to go back if I wasn’t required to play. Jockey has been clear he’d have liked to have everyone in this week.
Obviously, that’s for tactical reasons, but also for the togetherness of the group.
When you’re on a run of losses, it can be tough to come in on a Monday. The mood is dark. I’ve been there myself. But after Ireland, the atmosphere would have been positive.
It’s also important to point out that Jockey’s key decision makers in Tomos and Gareth would have both been outside of the camp with Gloucester. But knowing them as I do, I’m sure they’ll have been on the phone and working out plays to hurt Scotland.
Wales will undoubtedly be ready for Murrayfield and their challenge is to bring some more positivity to the fans. I think they will, with a potential upset on the cards.
