Ruddock resigns

AJUK · 14 Feb 2006 at 22:02

I have just heard on the news that Ruddock has stepped down as Wales coach. :eek:

Family reasons were mentioned.

http://www.planetrugby.com/News/story_49032.shtml

Snash · 14 Feb 2006 at 22:16

This is a real surprise, was just reading it on BBC. Things must be pretty bad for him to step down right away during the 6N? Seems he gave notice to resign at the end of the campaign and WRU said go now? All very strange :confused:

Even as a Scot he seemed to be a great coach.

AJUK · 14 Feb 2006 at 22:23

Who now for the job but the more important question is will it affect the Taffy's performance in the tournament?

Furton · 14 Feb 2006 at 22:36

He says he's stepped down because of personal reasons and wants to spend more time with his family, but to do this in the middle of the 6N is pretty selfish.

Alex_L · 14 Feb 2006 at 22:43

reported that he wanted to see the 6N through and step down at the end, seems WRU weren't interested, which to me suggests there is more to this than meets the eye.

Morba · 14 Feb 2006 at 23:20

Furton said:
He says he's stepped down because of personal reasons and wants to spend more time with his family, but to do this in the middle of the 6N is pretty selfish.

whats more important, family or work?
i know what the answer is for me!

big loss for welsh rugby, leaves an opening for someone... how about woodward?
im sure he mentioned in his biog (or elsewhere) that he would return to rugby management for Wales!

alx · 15 Feb 2006 at 01:55

Morba said:
whats more important, family or work?
i know what the answer is for me!

big loss for welsh rugby, leaves an opening for someone... how about woodward?
im sure he mentioned in his biog (or elsewhere) that he would return to rugby management for Wales!

"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."

I agree but why leave right in the middle of the 6N when he seems to suggest it's to do with the world cup build up? It's only another month or so until the 6N ends anyway. Seems a little fishy to me.

gjrc · 15 Feb 2006 at 08:52

i have a feeling there may be more to this than meets the eye

we may find out more in the next few weeks

strange decision tbh

AJUK · 15 Feb 2006 at 09:07

I wondering if this isn't all related to the player sit-in last week and the Gavin Henson auto biography?

elroberto · 15 Feb 2006 at 13:20

Morba said:
big loss for welsh rugby, leaves an opening for someone... how about woodward?
im sure he mentioned in his biog (or elsewhere) that he would return to rugby management for Wales!

Please god no! I don't want to see us playing Clive Woodwards brand of rugby and I don't think the current crop of players would welcome him. The troble is, who else is there at the moment? I don't think that any of the welsh regional coaches are really in the frame, maybe they will go for a coach from the Zurich Premiership.

gjrc · 15 Feb 2006 at 14:20

AJUK said:
I wondering if this isn't all related to the player sit-in last week and the Gavin Henson auto biography?

could be

henson doing more damge to welsh rugby. the rest comes when he plays

Kamikaze_Pigeon · 17 Feb 2006 at 12:18

If Scott Johnson doesn't stay on and take the job, my money is on Phil Davies (Leeds Coach) to be asked. I know Leeds have performed poorly this year, but so did the Dragons and Ebbw Vale when Ruddock was coach with them.

elroberto · 17 Feb 2006 at 17:15

That would be a good choice. He'll have the respect from the players, especially any who can remember him in his playing days, a proper old school second row.