Ruddock still following in father's footsteps as he turns to coaching

He expects it to be emotional when he runs out at the RDS on Friday night for the last time but this isn’t the end of his rugby journey so much as the closure of one chapter and the start of another.

FINAL INNINGS: Rhys Ruddock during Leinster rugby squad training. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach, Sportsfile

Mike Ruddock’s presence on rugby’s professional coaching circuit taught his son Rhys how to be adaptable. 

The youngster was born in Dublin when dad was coaching Bective Rangers and the youngster’s allegiances shifted with the family as they moved back and forth across the Irish Sea.