It was yet another new low for Welsh rugby - a crushing and record-breaking defeat at the hands of England that laid bare the depths of the national side's decline – and now Matt Sherratt has vowed to deliver some home truths.
Sherratt’s three-match tenure as interim head coach concluded in a devastating 10-try, 68-14 loss at the Principality Stadium, an encounter that will be remembered as Wales’ worst-ever defeat in Cardiff and their heaviest Six Nations defeat on home or away soil.
It also marked the most points ever conceded against England and condemned Wales to a second consecutive Wooden Spoon.
If those statistics weren’t sobering enough, Wales must now grapple with an unprecedented 17th straight Test defeat—the worst losing streak ever recorded by a tier-one nation in rugby union’s professional era.
Their Six Nations drought extends to two years, with 11 successive defeats, and their last home victory remains a distant memory from a 2023 World Cup warm-up win over England.
With no fixtures until their two-Test series against Japan in July, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is expected to appoint a new head coach and director of rugby before then.
Whoever steps into those roles faces an immense challenge in rescuing Welsh rugby from its current turmoil.
Sherratt will now return to his role as Cardiff head coach after attempting to instill creativity and fresh thinking into a squad desperately seeking direction.
His efforts saw glimpses of promise, particularly in the narrow defeat to Ireland, but the tournament ultimately ended in disaster.
“I think there are some green shoots. But listen, I think we knew where we were before this campaign started,” Sherratt said.
“It is just about getting the next couple of appointments right and then trying to build a base for the game.
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“It is always easy to look at the top of the pyramid, the national team and the regions. But any good team, it starts with the grassroots and the foundations, the academy. And that is what needs to be better.
“I will probably reflect over the next couple of days and then I will just give honest feedback and whatever is best for this playing group.
“There are some really good players. They just need to try and reset.
“There are going to be some fresh appointments over the next couple of weeks and I think it is just about resetting and trying to move forward as quickly as possible.
“I am not going to get drawn on the state of Welsh rugby. We know where we are, I think, and it is about moving forward in the next couple of weeks.”
The WRU hopes to finalise the director of rugby appointment by the end of March, with shortlisted candidates already interviewed.
Sherratt added: “My job was to come in and help the team. I am gutted that I couldn’t help them get a win.
“I will be as honest as I can, because there is no point in not being as honest as I can. I will do whatever is best for the Welsh game and this group of players.
“There is going to be a new director of rugby, a new head coach, and I think the next camp has to feel fresh for the players.”
The latest world rankings reflect Wales’ plight, as they have slipped to 12th place - now trailing behind Georgia.
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It has been 525 days since their last Test win, a World Cup victory over Georgia in October 2023, and 588 days since their last triumph at home, against England in August 2023.
Their Six Nations losing streak at the Principality Stadium stretches back 1,127 days to their 2022 victory over Scotland.
This marks the first time Wales have suffered back-to-back winless Six Nations campaigns, with 11 straight defeats in the competition.
Ahead of the England clash, there was cautious optimism that Wales might finally end their 16-match losing streak, but those hopes were mercilessly extinguished by a rampant England side that has steadily improved under Steve Borthwick.
Wales fans dared to dream that this team could replicate the spirit of 1967, 1999, 2007, and 2013 - years when Wales halted England’s march to a title.
But England had no interest in following that script.
Instead, they delivered the most dominant display of Borthwick's tenure, overwhelming their fiercest rivals with a tempo and intensity Wales simply could not match.
The visitors dictated every facet of the contest, obliterating the home side in the contact area and exposing Wales’ glaring deficiencies.
For Welsh rugby, this result was a brutal wake-up call.
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Any optimism sparked by spirited performances against Ireland and Scotland was dashed, leaving Wales back at square one.
The scale of the defeat was catastrophic.
The humiliation inflicted by their biggest rivals should serve as a catalyst for radical change.
This was the second-highest points tally Wales has ever conceded in a Test match, surpassed only by the infamous 96-13 loss to South Africa in 1998.
Now, with a lengthy break before their next game, Wales must take decisive action to rebuild from the ruins.
If nothing changes, the downward spiral could continue unchecked, leaving nation facing an uncertain future.
