It is a rest week for the Six Nations. But with Gatland gone, Sherratt gets no rest, picking up the pieces in this dark age of Welsh Rugby. While there is systemic corruption within the WRU that cannot be fixed by any head coach, it is interesting to see if Sherratt can string together some changes in these final three fixtures.

It is easy to rag on Welsh rugby – and entertaining too – however, fans of the sport should try to undertake the magnitudinous task of being optimistic, lest a great rugby nation die. So, we will see what resources Sherratt has available for Ireland week, whether he can create any positives for Welsh fans, and what an ideal side capable of beating Italy or Georgia may look like.

The Front Row

These first few rounds, Gatland has been consistent in his front-row selections. With loosehead props Gareth Thomas and Nicky Smith as the only front row performing presently, the extensive injury list restricts Sherratt’s options for improvement. The rotation of Evan Lloyd for Elliot Dee would provide more experience and allow the youngster to ease into international duties.

There have been three injury exclusions who would likely have appeared in Gatland’s squads: captain Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, and youngster, Archie Griffin. Also, after being released from a Welsh squad for failing to meet standards, Rhys Carre has been ostracised from Gatland squads since. The Saracens loosehead has become a strong scrummager with physical carry that could become excellent under new leadership.

The Locks

Opting for Jenkins and Rowlands, this has been a glacial combination, struggling to keep up with dynamic locks while failing to have the physical attributes of a fridge. Wales severely needs a shake-up in the engine room.

Given that Jenkins captained the squad last season and Rowlands feels well past his best, the former will stay. Jenkins’ clubmate Christ Tschiunza could bring some chemistry to the locks while being more dynamic, however, Freddie Thomas could also be an improved addition as the preferred third choice under Gatland.

Excluded through injury, Adam Beard would likely start alongside Jenkins. While he has never reached a world-beating status, he is consistently OK – something Welsh rugby sorely needs.

The Back Row

The back row may be the only ‘world-class’ part of the Welsh squad, but Gatland never quite produced the best combination. Captain Jac Morgan is an obvious inclusion at openside, and Taulupe Faletau is necessary as the third lineout option. Alongside them, Aaron Wainwright, the highlight of the Welsh Autumn Internationals. With all three having experience at Number 8, they may give the pack enough momentum for the backs to string together phases.

While there are no players who would necessarily challenge Reffell for a position on the bench, Morgan Morris has been a strange exclusion from Welsh squads for some time. The 26-year-old Number 8 is a hard-working, powerful carrier who is firmly in his prime. Carwyn Tuipulotu is another young 8 who may break through in the coming seasons.

Scrum Half

Tomos Williams starts. Ellis Bevan is on the bench. Given that Bevan had been a favourite of Gatland’s last season, it has been puzzling to pundits and fans why he was excluded from the matchday lineup against France and Italy.

Given that 31-year-old Rhodri Williams has been average for his club, his inclusion has been baffling as neither a safe option nor a view to the future. It is difficult to see who would replace him as the third choice, however, as there are no clear options. Wales must be consistent with T. Williams as a leader and Bevan as his understudy if they want to rebuild chemistry within the backline.

Fly Half

Potentially the greatest omen of the death of Welsh rugby was the exclusion of Anscombe and the unexplainable selection of Ben Thomas to start at fly-half. Inexperienced and utilised mostly as an inside centre for Cardiff, Thomas felt out of his depth and unsupported by a floundering backline.

While the experienced Anscombe is not world-class, he provides a much-needed maturity in starting to rebuild a broken Wales and take young talents Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow under his wing. Ben Thomas should come from a 6/2 bench; he covers 10 and 12, while allowing Wales to try and manage the hugely physical Irish bench.

The injury to Costelow has left him outside selection contention. It will be an interesting battle between him and Edwards, however, as the two youngsters see who will take the 10 shirt in the coming years.

Centres

In the worst Welsh side ever, the centre is the weakest position – literally. Nick Tompkins has been overrated for years, lacking the speed, power, or skills to be an international-quality centre. While Max Llewellyn was found out defensively last time he played for Wales, he has found some solid form for Gloucester and is the only option at 13 capable of threatening defences.

Replacing Llewellyn in an ideal Welsh XV would be Mason Gradey. The youngster has been moved around positionally but must get some consistency in his preferred position if Wales wants to get the best out of him. The non-sensical Welsh residency rules have also left Exeter’s Joe Hawkins excluded from squads while his clubmates get caps. Hawkins felt at home at inside centre, having the skillset of a flyhalf and an international physicality.

Wingers

Once a world-class finisher with a dominant high-ball game, Josh Adams has personified the depressing decline of Welsh rugby. Joining him has been Tom Rogers, who is a solid club player but lacks the threat of Penaud, Capuozzo, or Graham. While Josh Hathaway is promising, he completely lacks the decision-making required for club rugby, let alone international. So, Sherratt really has his hands tied for selection.

Fortunately, star player, Louis Rees-Zammit has recently indicated a potential return to rugby, while Rio Dyer is a hard worker who should be immediately included in future squads. These players are almost a necessity for any competent Welsh backline.

Fullback

As if to rub more salt into the many, many Welsh wounds, Liam Williams is out with an injury. Given the inexplicable absence of Cameron Winnett, this leaves Blair Murray to take the reins at fullback and Hathaway to cover from the bench.

While L. Williams would likely start if he returned from injury, he has clearly slowed down. I would then select Cameron Winnett at fullback; with T. Williams, Anscombe, and Dyer in the backline. The ideal lineup needs an injection of pact.

Team to play Ireland

1. Gareth Thomas
2. Elliot Dee
3. Henry Thomas
4. Dafydd Jenkins
5. Christ Tschiunza
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Jac Morgan ©
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Josh Adams
12. Eddie James
13. Max Llewellyn
14. Tom Rogers
15. Blair Murray

16. Evan Lloyd, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Kieron Assiratti, 19. Will Rowlands, 20. Freddie Thomas, 21. Tommy Reffell, 22. Ellis Bevan, 23. Ben Thomas.

Ideal Team

1. Gareth Thomas
2. Dewi Lake ©
3. Henry Thomas
4. Dafydd Jenkins
5. Adam Beard
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Jac Morgan
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Rio Dyer
12. Joe Hawkins
13. Mason Gradey
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
15. Cameron Winnett

16. Ryan Elias, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Archie Griffin, 19. Freddie Thomas, 20. Tommy Reffell, 21. Ellis Bevan, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Max Llewellyn.