Ruddock’s ‘interest’ in taking Blues reins
FORMER Wales coach Mike Ruddock would consider taking over the coaching reins at Cardiff Blues from Danny Wilson.
Ruddock, who masterminded Wales’ first Grand Slam for 27 years, is currently in charge of All Ireland League club Lansdowne who he has guided to two titles in the past few years.
And the Echo understands he would be very interested in a return to Wales if the Blues are prepared consider him for the role.
He was Ireland Under-20 coach between 2010-14 but lost out to Joe Schmidt in the race to become Ireland head honcho in 2013.
Ruddock was previously the architect behind Swansea winning two Welsh League titles, the Welsh Cup and thumping World Cup holders Australia 21-6 at St Helen’s in 1992 before overseeing the emergence of a Leinster golden generation spearheaded by a certain Brian O’Driscoll.
He returned to Wales and coached the Dragons to a best ever finish of third in the Celtic League in 2003-04, before becoming Wales boss and famously winning the Grand Slam in 2005.
Wales beat Australia – a feat they have only managed once since – under Ruddock’s command but player power undermined his position and saw him controversially leave during the following Six Nations.
The manner of his shock departure and his treatment by the WRU angered the Welsh public, and he remains a hugely-popular figure in Wales and in the wider rugby world.
Ruddock, whose son Rhys is an Ireland international, spent three years with English Premiership club Worcester Warriors.
He moved to Ireland – his wife is Irish – for a second time but has continued to be heavily involved in coaching as well as taking a Masters in management.
The 58-year-old’s proven track record could spark the interest of the Blues if they want to appoint a highlyexperienced coach.
Wilson is due to leave the Arms Park at the end of the season after rejecting the offer of a new contract.
Meanwhile, the Ospreys are being strongly linked with a move for Cardiff Blues attack and backs coach Matt Sherratt.
Gruff Rees, who currently fills a similar role at the Liberty, becomes a free agent in the summer and is believed to be keen to explore other opportunities.
He has been with the region in a fulltime capacity since 2012 and previously had six years’ involvement with them in a number of roles, sandwiching a spell on secondment with Aironi in Italy.
Rees and Steve Tandy oversaw a PRO12 title success within months of taking charge and he earned high marks for the way the team attacked last term, playing dazzling rugby at times en route to picking up a record 10 bonus-point wins in the league and six more in Europe.
But this term the Ospreys have spluttered, not least because they have been trying to adapt their game and have been hit by a host of injuries. NEWPORT County bowed out of the Checkatrade Trophy following a late defeat to Swansea City U23s at Rodney Parade.
Shawn McCoulsky had cancelled out Kenji Gorre’s opener before Jay Foulston’s own goal sealed County’s exit.
After a cagey opening, the first real chance of the game fell to Gorre but his cut back was well blocked by 16-year-old Foulston, who was making his first start for County. But the Exiles then took charge with Jazzi Barnum-Bobb firing over and Sean Rigg stinging the hands of Gregor Zabret with a fierce drive.
A cross-field ball from BarnumBobb then put Lamar Reynolds through. His shot beat the ‘keeper but lacked pace and was cleared before it reached the line.
Tom Owen-Evans was next to try his luck but his lobbed attempt beat the bar before Zabret denied the skilful Reynolds.
Gorre gave County a scare early in the second half when he advanced on goal after beating Barnum-Bobb on the left flank. But he put too much power on his shot, which flew wide.
The hosts continued to attack and captain Scot Bennett picked up possession in a favourable position on the edge of the Swansea City box. But his hesitation saw him lose the ball and the young Swans broke to devastating effect, with Gorre eventually sliding the ball past Joe Day.
Undeterred, the hosts went in search of a quick equaliser and it didn’t take long for them to find it with McCoulsky heading in Bennett’s cross. But City went back in front against the run of play when youngster Foulston diverted a cross beyond Day to send County crashing out.