Rhys Thomas Joins Wales Coaching Team: A New Era Under Matt Sherratt's Leadership

Former Wales hooker Rhys Thomas has been appointed as a skills coach for the Wales national rugby team for the remainder of the 2025 Six Nations championship. Thomas, who made 27 appearances for Wales and played for teams like Cardiff, Wasps, and Dragons, will be joining interim head coach Matt Sherratt's backroom staff. This appointment comes in the wake of Warren Gatland's departure, following a record run of 14 consecutive Test defeats.

Thomas's Role and Responsibilities

At 42, Thomas is on secondment from Gloucester and will return to the Premiership side after Wales' matches against Ireland, Scotland, and England. His primary focus will be on forwards skills, working alongside forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys and scrum specialist Adam Jones.

Sherratt's Vision for Wales

Matt Sherratt, who was recently appointed as the interim head coach, expressed his excitement about Thomas joining the team. "I'm delighted that Rhys will be joining the coaching team. Having known him for a number of years, I think he will be a great fit for the group," Sherratt said.

Challenges Ahead

Wales currently sits at the bottom of the Six Nations table after defeats to France and Italy, facing the possibility of a second consecutive Wooden Spoon. The team is gearing up for their upcoming match against Ireland on 22 February at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, followed by games against Scotland on 8 March and England on 15 March.

Defence Coach's Commitment

Despite the recent struggles, defence coach Mike Forshaw remains committed to the team. "I'll keep working through the rest of this campaign to get the best out of the players," Forshaw stated, emphasizing his dedication to improving the squad's performance.

Looking Forward

Thomas shared his enthusiasm about the new role, saying, "It's all happened very quickly over the past few days, but I'm excited for the challenge and looking forward to getting stuck in." The Welsh team and fans alike are hopeful that this new coaching dynamic will bring a fresh perspective and much-needed improvements to the squad's performance in the upcoming games.