Wales interim coach Sherratt signs long-term Cardiff deal

Cardiff handed Matt Sherratt his first head coach role just 20 months ago

Wales' new interim head coach Matt Sherratt has reiterated his commitment to Cardiff by signing a long-term deal with the region.

Sherratt was announced as Warren Gatland's short-term successor on Tuesday, but says he has no plans to stay in the job beyond the Six Nations.

He will take charge of Cardiff for their United Rugby Championship game against Connacht on Saturday before linking up with Wales on Monday.

Sherratt then has less than a week before Grand Slam-chasing Ireland visit Cardiff on 22 February.

"It's a massive ambition of any coach, any rugby player, to represent the national team," said Sherratt.

"I'm absolutely delighted. I'm obviously very grateful to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for the opportunity and also Cardiff for supporting this."

Cardiff were in the process of finalising plans to announce Sherratt's new long-term deal when the WRU came calling.

Deals for assistant coaches Gethin Jenkins and Corneil van Zyl, who will hold the fort in Sherratt's absence, are also close to being completed.

"Firstly, I'm delighted to commit to Cardiff. This genuinely is a club that I've got a real affinity to," Sherratt said.

"I love going to work every day. The players and the staff are great, it's a great group, and I think our fans are unbelievable as well – just look at the attendances we've had last season and this season.

"To sign a longer term deal, and as importantly, or more importantly in a lot of ways, is the rest of the coaching staff signing deals as well.

"I see us as a coaching team. For myself and the other coaches to try and stay together and try to build to make Cardiff is so pleasing."

Sherratt says his three-match Six Nations stint with Wales will have multiple benefits.

"As an example, an Evan Lloyd or a Cam Winnett, coming into Welsh camp and playing at the highest intensity, under the most pressure, hopefully when they come back to the club game, they feel that little bit more confident.

"So I'm hoping there's some learning for me there as well. Obviously, working with the best players, coaching against the best teams, coaching with some of the best coaches, it can only be good for my long-term development, and in turn, that's good for Cardiff."