Tonight’s rugby news as Sherratt addresses Wales return links and Lions certainty suffers major blow
The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, April 29.
Sherratt addresses Wales job links
Matt Sherratt has addressed speculation linking him with the vacant Wales head coach job, saying he hasn’t spoken to anyone at the Welsh Rugby Union about a potential return to the role. The Cardiff Rugby boss was interim head coach of Wales during the Six Nations, taking the reins from Warren Gatland after he left in the middle of the tournament, and has recently been tipped to come back temporarily to lead the side on the summer tour of Japan.
While Steve Tandy remains the frontrunner to succeed Gatland permanently, it has been suggested that Sherratt is being lined up to lead the squad again for the two-Test tour in July, alongside current Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson.
Quizzed on the rumours by Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode on the latest episode of The Rugby Pod, the coach said: “Genuinely, I’ve not spoken to anyone about it, and I wouldn’t say that if I had. I would probably just straight bat it.
“But because of all the stuff that’s been going on at Cardiff – we’ve had two games in six days, the club going into administration – and the WRU have been pretty busy with the Dave Reddin appointment, I’ve genuinely not spoken about it at all.
“I’ll see what happens in the next couple of weeks and see which direction they want to go in.” 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby
As for taking on the job full-time, Sherratt quickly shut down those suggestions, adding: “No, I don’t want it. For the reason that it’s only my second year as a head coach, and to be honest, I never really wanted to be a head coach.
“I did it at Cardiff because it was a good fit at the time, the club needed somebody in short-term. I get along well with the staff and the players there, so I thought I’d have a go.
“But I still enjoy being on the grass and being part of the group and coach, and that’s where I get my energy,” he continued. “What I found from being a head coach is it ends up dragging you away a little bit… you’re speaking to agents. I quite like going to the pub on a Sunday and it’s wrecked that really!”
Lions hopeful suffers major blow
Scotland star Blair Kinghorn has suffered a major blow ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour, with a knee injury set to keep him out for “several weeks”.
The full-back has long been tipped as a starter for Andy Farrell’s side in Australia this summer, after another impressive campaign for Toulouse in the Top 14.
However, he has suffered a setback at the worst possible time after suffering a knee injury against Castres on Saturday, which forced him off the field after just seven minutes.
According to reports in France, scans showed the Scottish international has suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, with RMC Sport reporting that he now faces between four and six weeks on the sidelines.
Farrell will announce his squad for the tour next Thursday and while the injury may not be severe enough to rule him out of the tour completely, it will mean, if picked, he will head into tour preparations with not much recent rugby under his belt.
The first Test against the Wallabies is not until July 17, but the first pre-Test match against Argentina is taking place in Dublin on June 20, in just over seven weeks’ time.
Kinghorn has definitely been ruled out of Toulouse’s Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux on Sunday, and will likely miss the final in Cardiff on May 24 if his side make it through.
Ex-Lions star lands coaching role
Former England and British & Irish Lions star Riki Flutey has landed a new job as New Zealand Women’s new backs and skill coach.
The 45-year-old joins the Black Ferns’ coaching set-up ahead of this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, becoming part of a ticket that already includes performance director Allan Bunting, rugby lead and attack coach Tony Christie, defence coach Steve Jackson and forwards coach Dan Cron.
“It’s truly an honour to be in this environment with the Black Ferns,” said ex-London Irish and Wasps back Flutey, who was born in New Zealand and in 2009 became the first player to play for and against the Lions when he faced the Maori All Blacks.
“I look to use my playing experiences and knowledge wherever I can add value to help grow each individual as we start building towards the Rugby World Cup.
“A lot of these players here in camp inspired my daughter Madison to play rugby several years ago now,” he added. “So it’s special to be able to give back directly to those who inspired her.
England coach told his job is safe
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
John Mitchell will remain England head coach until June next year regardless of how the Red Roses perform at the World Cup, according to the Rugby Football Union.
England are favourites to win the tournament they are hosting in August and September having clinched a seventh successive Women’s Six Nations title and amassed 55 wins in 56 Tests. Their only blemish is a 34-31 loss in the 2022 World Cup final to New Zealand, who have beaten the Red Roses in five of the last six finals.
Experienced former All Blacks boss Mitchell was recruited to improve that record but RFU director of performance rugby Conor O’Shea insists he will stay in his post for the 2026 Six Nations even if he fails to deliver the title.
“Results are important but you don’t want people thinking about what their next job is by having a contract finishing at that time,” O’Shea said.
“There will be no thought for anything until we get through the World Cup and Six Nations. I think it is very unhealthy to be insecure going into the World Cup – and that’s the only focus we have.
“We didn’t want anyone speculating about anything because that’s the most unhealthy thing that can happen in any environment. That’s why there are no contract talks for players or coaches.”
