Matt Sherratt has insisted that Wales’ two test tour of Japan is a mission to end the team’s losing streak, not a development exercise.

Despite picking six uncapped players in his 33-man squad, Sherratt has resisted calls to pick talented youngsters such as Morgan Morse, Huw Anderson, and Archie Hughes.

Sherratt again takes charge of the Wales team on an interim basis, having led the side during the final three Six Nations matches this spring.

Wales ended their sorry Six Nations campaign with a 68-14 hammering by England – a record home defeat to their oldest rivals – and are now 17 test matches without a win.

Wales play Japan, a place below them in the world rankings, in Kitakyushu and Kobe in July.

Continuity Over Development

Sherratt reasserted his desire to return to his role as head coach of Cardiff after this summer, and said that victory, not development, is the aim for the tour.

Sherratt’s uncapped picks have tended to come in areas where injuries have affected the squad.

Props Chris Coleman and Garyn Phillips are picked in place of injured Henry Thomas and Kemsley Mathias, while Keelan Giles and Liam Belcher are the beneficiaries of Liam Williams and Ryan Elias absences.

Reuben Morgan-Williams, the 27-year-old Ospreys scrumhalf, makes the plane due to Tomos Williams’ Lions commitments, while Macs Page of Scarlets is the only true developmental pick.

“He’s got a point of difference,” Sherratt said of Page.

“There’s been a real collaboration with the regional coaches. It’s been hard to select as we’ve all been coaching.

“I’ve spoken to the other coaches and they’ve given me good advice. I’ve seen Macs first-hand and Dwayne was excited by him.”

New backroom staff

Some of Sherratt’s coaching staff from the previous campaign have re-joined him, while the Cardiff boss has also called on a couple more colleagues, past and present, to assist with the tour.

T. Rhys Thomas and Adam Jones return after their secondments during the Six Nations, while current Cardiff defence coach Gethin Jenkins will have the same role with Wales this summer.

Another new addition to the team is Harlequins head coach, Danny Wilson, who will be tasked with handling the forwards.

“There’s a big change happening at the moment with the system,” added Sherratt.

“The WRU were clear they wanted to take an interim staff. As soon as they said that, it was important – with the limited time – that we’d worked together before.

“It’s a familiar staff. Having staff harmony rubs off on the players. It’s important I had people I know and trust.”

Focus on the rugby

With the high profile turmoil that Welsh rugby is currently in, Sherratt was keen to only focus on his on-pitch role at both Cardiff and Wales.

“Probably the big part of [returning] was laying a foundation for the next guy,” Sherratt said.

“I don’t think it’s our job to look at the big picture. It’s about going there and trying to get a result, with the rankings. I’d love to leave the next guy with something to build on and not having that record around their neck.

“I’ve been in this job long enough, I just worry about the rugby. I enjoy working with the people on this tour.”

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