Fiery Dragons rise for Ruddock

THE rugby world was taken by surprise when Wales appointed Mike Ruddock as their coach a year ago.

Llanelli Scarlets boss Gareth Jenkins had the job nailed down or so everyone thought but Welsh Rugby Union bosses turned instead to Ruddock, even though he didn't even apply. The rest, as they say, is history.

No one, not even the most optimistic Welsh supporter, could have envisaged that just 10 months after Ruddock's first game in charge a low-key friendly against the Barbarians at Bristol City's Ashton Gate ground Wales would be going for an RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam glory against Ireland tomorrow.