Ruddock asks Union for emergency meeting

WELSH rugby continues to be embroiled in controversy, with former national coach Mike Ruddock requesting an emergency meeting with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Ruddock told the BBC yesterday that he had contacted WRU chairman David Pickering to arrange the meeting as soon as possible because he felt the Union did not have all the relevant facts about his departure.

In another development yesterday WRU chief executive Steve Lewis dismissed suggestions player power was at the root of the coach’s sudden departure this week and absolved the WRU of blame for scuppering contract negotiations with the Grand Slam-winning coach.