00:00Matt Sherratt will continue as Wales' interim head coach for the upcoming two-test tour
00:07of Japan in July. Sherratt previously stepped in during the latter part of the 2025 Six
00:13Nations following Warren Gatland's departure, overseeing matches against Ireland, Scotland
00:18and England.
00:20Despite a challenging campaign including a record home defeat to England, Sherratt's
00:25leadership was noted for instilling renewed energy and tactical clarity within the squad.
00:31The Welsh Rugby Union has assembled a refreshed coaching team for the Japan Tour. Notably
00:38former assistant Jonathan Humphries and Mike Forshaw will not participate. Instead Sherratt
00:44will be joined by Harley Quinn's head coach Danny Wilson and scrum specialist Adam Jones,
00:49Gloucester's Rhys Thomas and Cardiff's Gethys Jenkins. Additionally former Wales international
00:55Lee Halfpenny will serve as the kicking coach.
00:59It's always easy to look at the top of the pyramid, the national team and the regions, but any
01:06good team it starts with the grassroots and the foundations of the academy.
01:12The 33-man squad for the tour reflects a balance between experience and emerging talent. Dewey Lake
01:18has been named captain leading a team that includes seasoned players like Josh Adams, Talupe
01:23Felitao and Aaron Wainwright.
01:25The squad also features six uncapped players, Liam Belcher, Chris Coleman, Garen Phillips,
01:31Keelan Giles, Reuben Morgan Williams and Max Page. Notable absentees include Jack Morgan and
01:38Thomas Williams who are on British and Irish Lions duty as well as Gareth Anscombe and Nick
01:44Tompkins.
01:46Wales will face Japan in Kitakushu on July 5th and in Kobe on July 12th. These matches
01:51present an opportunity for the team to end a 17-match losing streak and rebuild confidence
01:57ahead of future competitions.
01:59The WIU CEO Abi Tierney expressed gratitude to Sherratt for his continued commitment, acknowledging
02:06the challenges ahead and the importance of this tour in laying the groundwork for the team's
02:12resurgence.
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