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Matt Sherratt

Matt Sherratt during training

Sherratt: ‘It’s about getting that balance between heart and brain’

Matt Sherratt will be back at Cardiff Rugby on Monday but admits he might have to delay his return to the Arms Park if he can get his Wales side to beat England in their Guinness Six Nations finale at Principality Stadium this weekend.

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After games against Ireland and Scotland, Sherratt leads Wales for the final time at a sold-out and what is bound to be a passion-packed Principality Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

So what would a win over the land of his birth and his father mean to Sherratt?

“It would be massive, it would be brilliant. That’s a massive motivation as well if I’m honest because I’d love to sign off with a win – not for me but for the players and staff who have been here for a long time,” said Sherratt.

“It would be huge for them, although it’s important that it’s not something we talk about a huge amount about in camp or you can get a bit desperate. Maybe the emotion takes over some of the technical or tactical aspects.

“There’ll be emotion on Saturday, so it’s about getting that balance between heart and brain. There’ll be stacks of heart, but we need to get our game on the pitch.

“If the win comes, it would give everyone a massive lift, especially against England at home.”

Sherratt wants to get the balance between the emotion of a massive occasion and the game plan just right in order to give his side the best chance of winning.

“I remember watching games more as a supporter and seeing Jac (Morgan), Dewi (Lake) and Dafydd (Jenkins) in games and interviews afterwards,” he added.

“As a coach, and maybe an ex-teacher, I hoped it wasn’t something they were taking home with them. They should be at the stage of their career where they’re just loving playing for Wales.

“I’ve tried to take a lot of the burden off them. I said to Jac, especially when I came in, that I’m not going to ask him to talk a lot.

“Those three lead by example and I know how much it means for them to play for Wales. I think my role coming in was to let some of the senior players talk, the likes of Gareth Anscombe who I brought back in and Tomos Williams, and then take some of the burden off them.”

Wales will be hoping that Anscombe can lead the team around the field and get his side into good positions to attack.

“Gareth’s at his best when he’s just in the moment and he just plays the game. He’s got a really good rugby brain and is a natural in terms of feeling the game,” said Sherratt.

“The key for Gareth is getting to the weekend and having a clear mind. If he puts us in the right areas of the pitch, if he links the play and gives the team solutions – those three things are what we need that will be great.

“After that, he’s just got to be in the moment and let his rugby instinct kick in.”

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