Mike Ruddock
Mike Ruddock
Mike Ruddock, OBEis a Welsh rugby union coach, currently coach of the Ireland Under-20 Rugby Union Team and Lansdowne FC . Ruddock was the Director of Rugby at the Worcester Warriors until his resignation on 28 April 2010. Previously, Ruddock was the coach of the Welsh national rugby union team from 2004 until February 2006 and Leinster Coach from 1997 to 2000...
against couple england flat france games hit side spots tendency
We've had a tendency to hit a couple of flat spots in the games against England and Italy, ... We've got away with it so far, but against a side like France we could be in trouble.
autumn competition develop players saw team toughest
With 12 players away we saw what players can do. It may not have been the toughest competition but the team did develop real cohesion and that will be important during the autumn series.
aim challenge given last mighty record
It's one mighty challenge to take on the All Blacks, particularly given our record over the last 50 years, but we have to aim high,
card deciding harsh hearing merit offence red until wait whether
The offence did not merit a red card and it was very harsh on Dafydd. We will have to wait until his hearing before deciding whether he will be in the 22 on Saturday.
dirty pleasing team total win
It was pleasing to get that total performance, we're now a team who can win dirty if necessary,
amazing amongst guns
It's been amazing today. We are in amongst the big guns at last.
difficult early exciting selection
It's been a difficult but exciting selection so early into the season,
determination field great himself impressed jones knee mark recognized serious squad
It's great to see Mark Jones in the squad after two very serious knee operations. He is a recognized finisher, try-scorer and line-breaker and you have to be impressed by his determination to get himself back on the field after such serious injuries.
benefit competition exposure greater hoping level raised riding super teams
It's a very big workload, but I'm hoping that greater exposure will benefit the players, ... The level of competition is exciting. I think we're all going to be riding a rollercoaster. In the Super 12 and the Tri-Nations the southern-hemisphere teams have raised the bar. We'll know more after the autumn.
aim defend hard title
It will be hard to defend the title but you have to aim high.
best games given group injuries interest mindset players possible protect withdrawn
It's in my interest to protect the group as best I can. That's the mindset down in Wales, and all the more so given the injuries we've had. So the players will be withdrawn from games this weekend. That's to give us the best possible chance.
comforting quality
It's comforting to know that we have a replacement of the quality of Nicky.
against australia element england formidable game modern piece
It's an element of the modern game that is under-used, but - as England also showed against Australia - if you've got a formidable set piece you have to use it.
answer coaches confirm contracts directors grand hear involved issue meeting name nations opportunity players questions raised six steve three
It was interesting to hear Gareth confirm that the players raised my name in a meeting with Steve Lewis. I would like to find out more on what that was about. I will use the opportunity during my meeting with the directors to answer any questions they may have and I will raise the issue of why it was that we went into the Six Nations without having in place contracts for any of the three coaches involved in the grand slam.