Mike Ruddock: Ireland in a happy place

Ireland will head into this month’s Rugby World Cup on the back of consecutive Test defeats to Wales and England, but according to former Grand Slam-winning Welsh coach Mike Ruddock, they shouldn’t be overly concerned.

Speaking in the Aviva Stadium yesterday, at the launch of the new Ulster Bank League season, Ruddock felt that avoiding injuries was a major plus for Joe Schmidt.

As coach of defending AIL champions Lansdowne, he believes the approach he has taken to his own team’s pre-season games is similar to the way the international set-up has prepared in recent weeks.