Matt Sherratt has been named as the new Wales interim head coach, with the Cardiff boss taking over from Warren Gatland for the rest of the Six Nations.

After a torrid run of 14 Test match defeats and a horror start to this year's Six Nations, Gatland's departure from Wales was officially confirmed this afternoon. The New Zealander had been given a stay of execution by the WRU at the end of 2024 and he was challenged to turn around Wales' ailing fortunes in this year's Championship - but has now left after dismal defeats to France and Italy in the opening two rounds.

Attention has now turned to who will replace him, with Ireland's interim head coach Simon Easterby and Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith emerging as the frontrunners to take over in the long-term. However, it is Sherratt who will take over from Gatland on a caretaker basis to see out Wales' remaining Six Nations games against Ireland, Scotland and England.

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The Englishman is a hugely popular figure in Cardiff, but admittedly may not be a name more casual followers of Test rugby know a great deal about, especially outside of Wales. So who is he and why has been given the job?

Sherratt began his coaching career with Worcester Warriors, spending five years in the Academy at Sixways. He then moved on to Bristol Bears, spending a further five years at Ashton Gate as a backs coach.

It was then that he moved on to his first stint with Cardiff between 2016 and 2018, establishing himself as a key figure at the club in his position as attack and backs coach, and helping to deliver success in the European Challenge Cup.

It was during that first spell at Arms Park that he had his first involvement with the Wales set-up, as, with Gatland away on sabbatical in preparation for the Lions tour, he was called up to act as number two to Rob Howley on their 2017 summer tour to Samoa and Tonga.

After leaving the Welsh capital, Sherratt didn't go far, joining the Ospreys as a backs coach for the 2018/19 campaign. The following season saw him step up to the top job at the region on an interim basis, as he stepped in as head coach alongside Carl Hogg.

In 2020, he went back to where it all started as he re-joined Worcester from the Ospreys to succeed Neil Doak as backs coach - but the following year returned to Cardiff in the same role. Following the departure of director of rugby Dai Young in 2023, Sherratt took to the hotseat at the Arms Park and has remained in charge ever since.

After a 12th place URC finish in his first season in charge, Sherratt has overseen an improved performance from his side this season, with Cardiff currently sitting fifth in this year's table, the highest of any of the Welsh regions.

The Englishman is highly regarded by his colleagues and players, with Italy defence coach Richard Hodges, who worked with Sherratt at Cardiff, previously singing his praises to WalesOnline.

"Cardiff are very lucky to have Matt Sherratt," said Hodges last year. "He's a coach who is certainly as good as any I've come across.

"He's very empathetic. He sees the game through the players' eyes. I think he's got a good on/off task button. He learnt a lot of that from Danny Wilson, who is doing well at Harlequins now."