Ruddock cuts final ties with WRU
Mike Ruddock officially parted company with the Welsh Rugby Union this evening after reaching an agreement to cut short his gardening leave.
Ruddock, who led Wales to their first Grand Slam tile in 27 years in 2005, is now free to pursue other opportunities and keen to put the whole unsavoury affair behind him.
“It has been a difficult time for Welsh rugby over the past few months and I am pleased to have come to a mutual agreement with the WRU that will now enable me to actively pursue new employment,” said Ruddock, who has not been short of job offers.
“As far as I am concerned this chapter in my life is now completed.”
The WRU agreed to honour Ruddock’s contract, which was due to expire at the end of April, when they controversially asked him to stand down midway through Wales’ RBS Six Nations title defence.
Ruddock had announced his intention to leave when his contract expired but he wanted to stay in charge for the remainder of the Six Nations.
Instead, WRU chief executive Steve Lewis asked Ruddock to leave with immediate effect and appointed Scott Johnson as caretaker coach for Wales’ last three Six Nations internationals.
“I had hoped to have steered the Welsh side through to the end of the Six Nations but, although naturally disappointed, I fully understand and accept the union’s position,” Ruddock insisted.
“I wish the whole of Welsh rugby and the new Welsh coach, and in particular the Welsh team, every success in the future.”
But Welsh rugby is still reeling from the fall-out of Ruddock’s departure. The WRU, under fire from the clubs over a number of governance issues, face the prospect of an extraordinary general meeting and a vote of no confidence.
WRU chairman David Pickering is determined to rebuild Welsh rugby’s shattered reputation, starting with the appointment of a new head coach.
The search is well underway. The deadline for applications closed this evening and Llanelli Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins is the favourite to take over the reins.
“Having agreed to honour Mike’s contract, we are now faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement for him as head coach,” said Pickering.
“Just as Mike now wishes to look ahead, so too must the WRU look to the future.
“The constant speculation in the media regarding Mike’s decision to stand down has undoubtedly damaged the reputation of the game in Wales.
“Restoring this reputation is now an immediate priority for the WRU and its member clubs.”
