‘I went to Rome to see Wales catastrophe – Matt Sherratt has four glaring issues to fix’ | Rugby | Sport

When in Rome, witness an inept Welsh attacking display that leads to a 14th successive Test defeat and the dismissal of head coach Warren Gatland.

It’s not a sentence traditionally associated with a weekend break in one of Europe’s most historic and romantic cities, but it signifies a scenario that many saw coming even prior to kick-off at the Stadio Olimpico. I was there and saw the catastrophe myself.

Cardiff Rugby coach Matt Sherratt is now the man in charge for the remaining three games of the Six Nations. In many respects, it’s the equivalent of being back in the Italian capital in the first century, fed to the lions in a roaring Colosseum with little support from those around him.

Indeed, Sherratt can’t fix the problems in Welsh rugby which ultimately need addressing. He cannot remove WRU CEO Abi Tierney, whose incompetence throughout Gatland’s second reign shouldn’t be ignored. Nor can he cut the number of professional sides in Wales, or instantly improve the quality of players coming through academy systems.

But there are areas he can address to salvage something, even if only pride, from this harrowing campaign. Express Sport looks at how Sherratt can improve the outlook against Ireland, Scotland, and England…

Pick a No.10 to play at No.10

Sounds simple, right? Prior to the Six Nations, Ben Thomas had barely started a game in the outside half position for club side Cardiff – but had impressed at inside centre. Therefore, Gatland’s decision to throw him into the mix as the pivot for the trips to France and Italy was bewildering and inevitably backfired.

The blame for the opening two displays lies far deeper than that particular selection, but it was a strange hill for Gatland to choose to die on. As his regular coach, Sherratt is unlikely to commit to a similar act of self-sabotage and utilise the talented Thomas elsewhere.

And sure enough, he’s already gone some way to addressing the issue. Thursday’s recall for Gareth Anscombe, regardless of him being 33, signified basic logic. As did bringing Harlequins’ No.10 Jarrod Evans back into the fold with him.

Ignite a toothless attack

Don’t be fooled by the two late tries in Rome. Wales played more than two-and-a-half-hours of rugby before crossing the line in this tournament, before Italian fatigue and ill-discipline paved the way for a consolation bonus point.

Sitting behind the posts last weekend provided the perfect vantage point to assess a brutal truth. Direction with ball in hand, threat, even basic structure, were non-existent. Gatland going was no surprise, and nor was attack coach Rob Howley duly following him.

No one expects Sherratt to perform miracles and have the hosts cutting lines from everywhere against Ireland. But if he can implement even the most basic gameplan when going wide, and instigate some conviction and thrust in the backline, then he’ll improve matters.

Cut out ill-discipline

In the 43-0 defeat to France, Wales were awarded just three penalties but gave away 12 themselves. While that stat can be attributed to being under immense pressure, the 14 transgressions they were penalised for in Rome cannot.

While the visitors offering so little threat has been much-publicised, the fact that Italy’s attack also appeared blunted has slipped under the radar. But Tommasso Allen was afforded eight shots at goal from penalties, and turned down a ninth in favour of booting the ball out to end the contest.

Many of the indiscretions came from naivety and rash thinking, with Josh Adams lucky to stay on the field for one reckless tackle. A similar show of ill-discipline against Ireland and it won’t be three-pointers Wales give away, it will be territory and tries.

Select a balanced pack

The set-piece improved after the interval last Saturday, but by then, the damage was done. Nicky Smith’s second-half appearance seemingly shored up the scrum, and he should start against an Irish pack that will undoubtedly target the Welsh front row.

While flanker and captain Jac Morgan has proved the rage against the dying light, fellow back-rower James Botham is too similar a player. The cohesion appeared better when Aaron Wainwright was introduced in Rome and Sherratt should start him from the off next weekend, alongside the outstanding Morgan and Toby Faletau.