Sherratt given Wales job for rest of Six Nations after Gatland's abrupt exit

Yesterday at 01:16 PM

• Six Nations defeat by Italy was 14th consecutive reverse
• Wales sit 12th in world rankings, lowest-ever position

Cardiff's Matt Sherratt has been handed the Wales coaching reins on an interim basis after Warren ­Gatland's second spell as head coach ended abruptly on Tuesday. Welsh ­supporters have been warned, ­however, there is "no magic bullet" that will instantly revive the national team after their dismal 22-15 defeat by Italy on Saturday.

Gatland has departed "by mutual agreement" after 14 successive Test defeats, the worst run in the country's 144-year international rugby ­history. Gatland, 61, had been contracted until the 2027 World Cup but Abi Tierney, the Welsh Rugby Union chief exe­cutive, acknow­ledged "there was a mounting sense that it wasn't working" and said the ­decision was "in the best interests of the Wales squad".