Wales have revealed that Gwent Dragons coach Mike Ruddock will take charge of the national team at the end of the current Six Nations campaign.
Ruddock is the surprise choice to replace Steve Hansen, with both Gareth Jenkins or Mark Evans being widely tipped to land the role in recent weeks.
Ruddock is a former Wales A coach, while he also enjoyed successful spells Leinster and Welsh outfit Swansea.
Hansen will step down as Wales coach after the Six Nations Championship - Wales have games against England and Italy to come - to be New Zealand assistant coach under current All Blacks coach and former Wales supremo Graham Henry.
Ruddock expressed his delight at the offer and said: "When the Union asked me on Monday to make a presentation, I was excited by the opportunity. It is certainly something I have always wanted to do, and it is something I want to do my best at."
Ruddock also revealed that he is prepared to tempt Scott Quinnell and Rob Howley out of international retirement, he said: "There is every chance that I might speak to Scott Quinnell and Rob Howley to see what their situation is like. I think I ought to phone them up and have a chat." |