Matt Sherratt is leaving Cardiff Rugby on the eve of the rugby season to join the Wales coaching staff under new boss Steve Tandy.

Sherratt has spent two separate spells as interim head coach of Wales in 2025 – the first immediately following Warren Gatland’s departure during the Six Nations, and the second for the summer tour of Japan on which he lead Wales to a first victory since the 2023 World Cup.

The 47-year-old is joining Tandy’s coaching set-up head of the attack, alongside former Harlequins boss Danny Wilson, who is in charge of the forwards.

The former Cardiff head coach is leaving the region just six days before the club kicks-off their United Rugby Championship (URC) season against the Lions on Saturday.

“The timing is not ideal, however, I am confident that the club is in good hands with some excellent coaches and staff behind the scenes,” said Sherratt.

“This was obviously a difficult decision to make as Cardiff is genuinely a club that means a huge amount to me and my family, and it’s also one that’s heading in the right direction.

“However, opportunities in the international game do not come around often and the chance to test myself at the highest level, while returning to a more hands-on role, is something I could not turn down.”

Cardiff will head into the new season with assistants Corniel van Zyl, Jonny Goodridge, Scott Andrews and Gethin Jenkins in charge and confirmed that they have begun a review process to find Sherratt’s long-term successor.

Speaking as part of Cardiff’s statement announcing the news, Sherratt said that the timing ‘is not ideal.’

“This was obviously a difficult decision to make as Cardiff is genuinely a club that means a huge amount to me and my family, and it’s also one that’s heading in the right direction,” said Sherratt.

“However, opportunities in the international game do not come around often and the chance to test myself at the highest level, while returning to a more hands on role, is something I could not turn down.

“I am enormously grateful to everyone at the club from players and coaches to the staff, supporters and sponsors, for making my time at the Arms Park so enjoyable. I am proud that we have been able to put the club back on solid foundations, have implemented a playing style that resonates with the history and city, and enjoyed so many memorable moments at the Arms Park.

“The timing is not ideal, however I am confident that the club is in good hands with some excellent coaches and staff behind the scenes.”

The region’s interim managing director, Jamie Muir, added: “The fact Matt has been approached by Wales is testament to the progress we have made as a club.

“We are confident with the staff that remain in place and are fully focused on kicking off the new season on Saturday night in positive fashion.”

Sherratt will now begin his work preparing Wales for their first matches in November against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Tandy said of the appointment: “Matt did a great job to get that result in Japan on a short turnaround after a long season. He is an excellent coach. His philosophy and approach is a great fit our playing group.”

Born in Gloucester, Sherratt cut his teeth at Gloucester and Cheltenham and spent four years at Worcester Warriors’ academy, before becoming an attack specialist for Bristol, Ospreys and Cardiff.

After another spell at Worcester, Sherratt returned to Cardiff for a second stint as backs and attack coach in 2021 and has become a hugely popular figure at the Arms Park having led the club to the URC play-offs in 2023-24.

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