MATT SHERRATT’S family and friends are “fuming” at him for taking the Wales job as it threatens their plan to watch today’s clash with Ireland downing cut-price pints.
Before he was appointed as Warren Gatland’s successor for the Dragons’ last three Six Nations games, Sherratt agreed to host his brother-in-law’s 50th birthday party at the Arms Park.
He’s been charged with injecting some sort of life into a Welsh team that’s lost 14 games in a row[/caption]
Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the first time this afternoon[/caption]
As Cardiff coach, Sherratt is charged just £2 a pint.
But while the party-goers are watching the match on TV, the caretaker boss will be next door trying to end Wales’ grim run of 14 defeats in a row.
The party is going ahead, but the boozers are afraid they will have to pay full whack although Sherratt revealed he has a load of vouchers for freebies that he will leave behind the bar.
He grinned: “It’s my brother-in-law’s 50th birthday this weekend and I got tickets for everyone to watch the game in the Cardiff clubhouse.
“But since I took the Wales job they are fuming with me and pestering me every day, asking if I can still get the tickets and have I got any free drinks.
“They only wanted to go with me because I get a pint for £2!
“They are frightened to death they will have to pay £3.50 per pint.
“I’m not sure they wanted me there for my company or my contacts!
“I haven’t told them this, but I have managed to get them some free vouchers.”
With that headache taken care of, Sherratt can focus on trying to breathe fire into the Dragons, against a team who are 50-1 ON to win in Cardiff and wrap up the Triple Crown.
And making ten changes to the side beaten by Italy shows he is not afraid to back himself.
Sherratt added: “It’s exceptional circumstances this week. There’s no hiding away from that.
“I want us to be cohesive, brave and to improve. And we’ll see where that takes us.”
