Matt Sherratt: Cardiff coach responds to Warren Gatland's regional reset comments

Matt Sherratt addresses the Cardiff players

Head coach Matt Sherratt says he believes Cardiff have "never been in a better position off the field".

Sherratt was responding to comments made last week by Wales coach Warren Gatland before the 31-7 Six Nations defeat to Ireland.

Gatland stated Welsh rugby sometimes feels like a "sinking ship" and says he was not 100% convinced a much-needed regional reset will happen.

"The club's roots and foundations are getting much better," said Sherratt.

Gatland said the regions must get things right off the field by investing in backroom staff and facilities rather than initially worrying about signing players.

"If I'm honest, I completely agree with building the foundations of the region," said Sherratt.

"Our mantra and priority all season isn't about winning on the pitch - although obviously we want to - but winning off it.

"We need to get our facilities, key staff and academy better, then we can add to our squad. This week with regards to our facilities, we announced we are going to stay at the Arms Park to stop players having to travel between two sites.

"Long-term, we're going to develop the Arms Park and we've met with people in terms of supplying the gym and making our facilities. They're not going to be gold standard, but will be a lot better next season than this one.

"We've announced Corniel van Zyl as a forwards coach, who has worked at the top end of the game, there's going to be a head of recruitment coming in and defence coach Gethin Jenkins has signed on for two years on a full-time basis.

"This year was about fighting, next year is about growing. We are not going from where we are to challenging for titles. All we need to see is progression.

"So in terms of what he (Gatland) said, I agree with it, but it was already happening. So if I'm honest, we probably didn't need to hear it, as it's happening anyway."

Warren Gatland is in his second stint as Wales head coach

Gatland also referred to a comment he says was made by Cardiff's new Wales flanker Alex Mann at a recent dinner with the national team's sponsors.

"He said 'I now know what a professional environment is like and what it should be like'," said Gatland.

"That's what we've got to encourage our regions to be like."

Former Wales fly-half James Hook said Gatland had thrown Mann under the bus, while Sherratt insisted the comments had been taken out of context.

"Firstly, Alex Mann is probably the most professional academy player to transition to a professional environment that I have experienced," said Sherratt.

"We use his working week as a textbook to how our young players should be doing their extras.

"So regardless of facility or staff, Alex is the most professional lad I have worked with and is a cracking professional.

"What Manny spoke about with Wales was the number of staff, analysts they are able to put into it, and things like the quality of the food, travel and hotels.

"If you go from Bath to England, the quality of everything will go up, it should, it's international rugby.

"There is an unlimited budget and they have the best of everything and that's how it should be.

"I don't think Manny's comments were public, he was speaking informally on a table at a dinner and they were just around the environment in general.

"It wasn't about the mindset of how sessions are run, our staff at Cardiff conduct themselves brilliantly.

"So I think it was a bit of a misquote. I would rather Manny was left to able to concentrate on playing for Wales.

"It was his third cap playing against the number one team in the word. He didn't need to be thinking about stuff off the pitch, he needed to be thinking about ripping into Ireland.

"He is a great lad and had a great Six Nations, so that should be the story about Alex Mann. Not something that was said at a dinner."

Alex Mann has played three internationals for Wales and scored two tries

Cardiff have only managed three wins in 14 games this season but have been praised for developing young talent like Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin who have gone on to make Wales debuts.

Sherratt has pointed to the decrease in funding Wales' four professional sides had faced but insists Cardiff are a professional outfit.

"It is hard enough trying to recruit and getting a team ready for the weekend, what I do know is between the four regions there has been a reduction in funding," said Sherratt.

"We have had to make cuts across the business because of the lack of finances. Behind the scenes there has been a massive amount of work that has gone in with people doubling up on jobs.

"It is not a sob story because we are in work and there are clubs in lot worse situations but there has been a real resilience from staff, fans and players.

"In terms of the quality of the staff, I would back what we have here every day of the week, it's probably the bits around it the regions need to improve.

"Professionalism isn't all about having the best facilities, travel, food or cryotherapy suites, it's about how you conduct yourself.

"When I was at Worcester they had amazing facilities but our lads at Cardiff are as professional as them.

"Ironically four of our former members of staff are employed by the WRU and have gone from Cardiff to Wales.

"We have seven players under 24 in the Wales squad, 13 training with them in total.

"If our environment was unprofessional we wouldn't be getting those amount of staff going to Wales or players being picked in the Welsh squad."

Cardiff have been taken over by new owners and Sherratt believe the organisation will reap the benefits.

"I am comfortable with what we are trying to do here," he said.

"Have we got the best facilities or the right amount of staff? No, but with our new owners we are doing everything we can to put that right.

"Everything we have asked of them, they have delivered on. The club has never been in a better place off the field."