Ruddock appointed Ireland U-20 coach

Former Wales coach Mike Ruddock has been named as the new coach of the Ireland under-20 team, replacing Allen Clarke, the previous coach and current High Performance Manager.

As a player Ruddock represented Swansea and Wales B before injury cut his playing days short.

His coaching career began following that retirement and his strong ties with Ireland started with a spell as coach of Dublin club side Bective Rangers before he returned to coach Swansea for six seasons.

He returned to Ireland to take the position of Leinster Director of Rugby in 1997 where he remained until 2000 when he moved to Ebbew Vale as coach, assisting with the Wales A team.

He then coached Newport Gwent Dragons before taking the post of Wales national coach in 2004, leading them to an RBS Six Nations Championship Grand Slam in 2005. He left that role in 2006 and has been coaching English club side Worcester until this summer.

"The importance of this age grade level is vital and the chance to work in Irish rugby again was one I did not want to pass up on," Ruddock said.

He will take up his role with the IRFU at the end of August.