Smith grateful to Wales coach for giving him 'a bit of a slap'

England fly-half knows he owes Sherratt but that will not stop the friends trying to beat each other in Cardiff crunch

- Gerard Meagher

Listen to Fin Smith wax lyrical about the Wales head coach Matt Sherratt, the influence he had during their days together at Worcester and the debt of gratitude he feels is obvious. Accordingly, Smith sent Sherratt a message of congratulations when he was handed the Welsh reins on a temporary basis after Warren Gatland's departure.

"I texted him saying all the best," Smith said, "and he said: 'Eff off, I'll see you in a few weeks'."

Sherratt's reply was entirely in jest - "It was nice to know he's not changed since he got the big job" - and Smith is only too aware of the threat Wales pose to England's outside chance of clinching the Six Nations title in Cardiff on Saturday. Defeat by Scotland was a 16th in succession but Sherratt has Wales playing a far more eye-catching brand of rugby. In what is due to be his final match in charge they would love nothing more than to end their miserable losing run against England.