Welsh coach Ruddock quits as coach

Mike Ruddock has stepped down as Wales coach because of personal reasons. This comes less than a year after leading Wales to their first Grand Slam in 27 years.

Ruddock who is 46 and took over from former coach Steve Hansen in March 2004, wanted to stay on until the end of the RBS Six Nations campaign but it has been reported that the Welsh Rugby Union did want this and decided that that skills coach Scott Johnson will take over with immediate effect.

Former Wales and Llanelli Scarlets hooker Robin McBryde, who retired from playing last year because of injury, will join the Wales set-up as forwards coach.

“This has been a tough decision to make but I have decided to put my family first,” said Ruddock in a statement.

“The intense build-up to the World Cup means more time away from my family. That is something I’d like to avoid.

“I have found during my two years as coach that the position is more than a job. That has meant I have spent long periods away from my family.”

Ruddock was in charge for 20 Tests, of which Wales won 13, including the 2005 Grand Slam and a first victory over Australia in 18 years. For his efforts Ruddock was awarded the OBE in the New Year honours.

The WRU had been in negotiations with Ruddock to extend his deal since last March and wanted him to stay on until the World Cup. 

Rumours this morning are that there was a division in the Welsh camp led by captain Gareth Thomas that formed last week over a journalist and an article on Gavin Henson that was printed in the match programme for the Welsh Twickenham match.

Apparently the rift was caused last week when the squad, in defiance of the coach’s instructions, refused to be interviewed by the media until the journalist who wrote the article had left the building.

A group of senior Welsh players then went to Welsh rugby officials to relay their dissatisfaction with their Coach.

Another worry for the Welsh is that skills coach (now head coach) Scott Johnson is Australian and it has been widely reported that he wants to return to Australia.