Wales interim coach stamps his mark as Warren Gatland’s long-time ally departs and snubbed trio recalled
Rob Howley will not be involved in Wales' coaching team for remaining Six Nations games.
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has quickly stamped his mark on the squad and called up three much-publicised snubs from the early rounds of the Six Nations.
Sherratt, who has replaced the outgoing Warren Gatland following a disappointing start to this year’s Championship, is tasked with turning around the country’s fortunes.
Gatland had been in charge of Wales on a disastrous streak of 14 straight defeats in the international arena, which has seen them slip below Georgia in the world rankings.
Three call-ups
It has been a nightmare stretch of losses that hasn’t been helped by the absence of three in-form players who are currently plying their trade in the English Premiership.
There have long been calls for fly-half duo Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester) and Jarrod Evans (Harlequins) to be in a Wales squad that desperately needs an experienced pivot.
Meanwhile, one of the form backs in England, Max Llewellyn, has been impressive for the Cherry and Whites but was strangely not viewed as an option at outside centre.
Sherratt has swiftly called up all three players, however, and they will join up with the rest of the squad on Monday, February 17 to prepare for the Ireland showdown.
Their inclusion in the squad is tempered somewhat by news that Owen Watkin is released due to an ACL injury while Liam Williams is also cut due to a knee problem.
Anscombe, Evans and Llewellyn will no doubt bolster Wales from an attacking and playmaking standpoint as they desperately look to turn around their recent woes.
Rob Howley gone
Sherratt’s first match in interim charge, however, could not be tougher as a sold-out clash with 2024 Six Nations champions Ireland awaits on Saturday, February 22.
One man who won’t be alongside the Wales boss in the coaching box at the Principality Stadium is Rob Howley, who will not be involved for the upcoming three games.
A Welsh Rugby Union statement read: “Howley remains under contract with the WRU but will not be part of the Wales coaching team for the remaining three fixtures,” the statement read.
Wales squad
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, James Botham, Elliot Dee, Taulupe Faletau, Dafydd Jenkins, WillGriff John, Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Jac Morgan, Sam Parry, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith, Freddie Thomas, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright, Ben Warren, Teddy Williams
Backs: Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Ellis Bevan, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Josh Hathaway, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Ellis Mee, Blair Murray, Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Rhodri Williams, Tomos Williams
READ MORE: Loose Pass: Warren Gatland’s departure, the state of the game and the onset of Super Rugby
