Dragons start life after Warren Gatland – Wales v Ireland talking points

Wales begin life after Warren Gatland when they tackle Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gatland departed following Wales’ 14th successive Test defeat – a 22-15 loss to Italy – with Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt now in charge on an interim basis for three remaining Six Nations fixtures.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points heading into the game.

Unable to mastermind a Test match victory since the 2023 World Cup, when Wales beat Georgia in Nantes, their performance against Italy was dire on so many levels that there could be no realistic way back for Gatland.

First time around with Wales, the New Zealander presided over Six Nations title triumphs, Grand Slams and World Cup semi-final appearances, but his second reign delivered just six wins from 26 Tests.

Inevitably, there was no magic wand, and many will argue that his legacy is tarnished, but in terms of accomplishments he remains Wales’ most successful coach in more than 140 years of international rugby, and that should not be forgotten.

Still dressed in his Cardiff tracksuit and arriving straight off the training pitch, there was a surreal air to Sherratt’s introductory press conference as Wales’ interim head coach.

He went from a United Rugby Championship game against Connacht to Welsh rugby’s biggest job, albeit for three Tests only as the search begins for Gatland’s long-term successor.

Sherratt is an affable, engaging and popular figure who wants his teams to entertain, and while he can only do so much in the next few weeks, there is nothing realistically for him to lose.

Wales surely cannot be any worse than they were at Stadio Olimpico, and it could be a fascinating ride with the man nicknamed Jockey.

Wale