Wales are not yet winninng – but at least they are no longer falling apart.
That much, at least, could be said after Matt Sherratt named an unchanged team for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland, showing faith in the same starting XV that pushed tournament favorites Ireland close in Cardiff.
The decision marks the first time in 66 Test matches, dating back to the 2019 World Cup, that Wales have fielded an identical lineup in consecutive games.
“Firstly, I thought the performance (against Ireland) was decent. I thought it was as cohesive as we could ask for with the amount of preparation time we had,” Sherratt said.
“It’s a reward for that really. Probably across the board there were some really good performances. I was keen to let them go again.”
Wales put in an encouraging display in their 27-18 defeat to Ireland, showing glimpses of promise despite their ongoing struggles.
Now, they look to build on that effort as they travel to Edinburgh, where they have won six of their last eight encounters against Scotland.
“This week has been a step-up in terms of what we have produced on the training field,” Sherratt added. “The challenge the group set themselves on Monday was that they are pleased with the performance, but not the result, because they are all competitors.
“Can we do the same again and build a little bit more on top of that? The passion and effort was first rate. It is matching that as a minimum, but trying to build our game slowly.”
The Murrayfield fixture will be Sherratt’s penultimate match in charge before he resumes his role as Cardiff head coach, having taken over the national team on an interim basis from Warren Gatland.
“I am not naive. I knew there would be an emotional response for Ireland,” Sherratt acknowledged. “We’ve got England at home next week, last one in the Six Nations. That one looks after itself.
“This week for me was always going to be the one that was the test of the squad. We are going away and it is two weeks after the Ireland game.
“But what I sense from the players pretty early on is there is a determination to lift that emotion from the Principality Stadium and take it to Murrayfield.”
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Meanwhile, experienced prop Nicky Smith will be starting back-to-back Wales games for the first time since 2021. With over 50 caps to his name, Smith is among the most seasoned players in the squad, yet many feel his international career should have yielded a higher tally.
“When I look back, when I started my Wales career I was in and out,” Smith admitted.
“With every selection you always, as a sportsman, back yourself every time, even if you are playing well or aren't playing well.
“You always think you deserve to be there and I'm no different in that.
“Of course every time you aren’t selected is tough but I got to the point where I said all I can do is crack on with the Ospreys or when I moved to Leicester.
“I try to pride myself on putting in my best performance each week.”
Smith made his international debut in 2014 and has faced significant competition for the number one jersey, battling with the likes of Gareth Thomas, Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Corey Domachowski, and Rhys Carre. Despite earning caps in every season since 2014-15, he has often had to settle for a place on the bench.
After joining Leicester Tigers and impressing in the Premiership, Smith was recalled by Gatland for the 2024 autumn internationals, seizing the opportunity to reestablish himself in the squad.
“It’s been nice to be in the squad and get a bit more game-time than I’m used to,” he said. “I’m just thankful and it’s a huge honour to have the opportunity to wear the shirt.”
Smith played a key role in a rejuvenated Welsh scrum against Ireland, as the new-look front row, featuring Elliot Dee and WillGriff John, won three early scrum penalties.
“We will look to build on that,” Smith said. “It was a good start – well I say start – against a tough Ireland team.
“We are looking for the same again and getting dominance in that area.”
As Wales prepare for their trip to Scotland, Sherratt is focused on maintaining the momentum and ensuring the team continues to improve.
“Obviously we won’t have the familiarity of home and the support, but we’ve talked about celebrating little wins and making our own atmosphere,” he said.
“Like most coaches, we’ve got a 90/10 principle. Ninety per cent of the week is about us, 10 per cent maybe slight adaptations depending on what the opposition will bring.
“In terms of the space we are in at the minute, we’re probably skewing that to 95 per cent about getting our game on the field, then a couple of tweaks on what they (Scotland) will bring.
“I know a lot is made of who is the underdog and who is the favourite. I think it is a level playing field. We go up there to win a game of rugby, take a lot of the good things from last time and try to grow our game by five or 10 per cent.”
