I can't in' believe this! Halfway through the Six Nations as well. Typical!
From BBC News 15 Feb 2006:
Mike Ruddock has stepped down as Wales coach because of personal reasons, less than a year after leading them to their first Grand Slam in 27 years.
Ruddock, 46, wanted to see out his current contract until the end of the RBS Six Nations campaign.
But Welsh Rugby Union chief Steve Lewis said that skills coach Scott Johnson will take over with immediate effect.
"This has been a tough decision to make but I have decided to put my family first," said Ruddock in a statement.
"The intense build-up to the World Cup means more time away from my family. That is something I'd like to avoid.
"I have found during my two years as coach that the position is more than a job. That has meant I have spent long periods away from my family."
Ruddock's departure was confirmed at a hastily-convened press conference at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The WRU had been in negotiations with Ruddock to extend his deal since last March.
Wales began the defence of their Six Nations crown with a 47-13 loss away to England a fortnight ago, but recovered last weekend with a home 28-18 win over Scotland.
But Lewis said it was in the "best interests of the team" that Ruddock stand down with immediate effect.
Johnson was seemingly set to quit the Wales camp to return to his native Australia, but now there is likely to be a renewed effort to entice him to stay on as head coach.
Former Wales and Llanelli Scarlets hooker Robin McBryde, who retired from playing last year because of injury, will join the Wales set-up as forwards coach.
WRU chairman David Pickering admitted Ruddock's resignation had created a crisis for Wales, but is confident the team is in safe hands with Johnson.
Pickering said: "We handled a crisis. We have a strategy and we've moved forward.
"The inordinate pressure on coaches does affect their family lives, and Mike was a big family man.
"Mike's place in Welsh rugby history is assured. He will go down as a fine ambassador, a wonderful coach, and a fine gentleman."
Meanwhile, Wales and Lions legend Ieuan Evans has praised the contribution of Ruddock during his time at the helm.
Ruddock was in charge for 20 Tests, of which Wales won 13, including the 2005 Grand Slam and a first victory over Australia for 18 years during last year's autumn internationals.
"He has empowered the players, which is a big step - the foundation was laid by Steve Hansen to get the basics right, but Mike Ruddock has given them the freedom to express themselves," Evans told BBC Sport.
"Last season Wales definitely also improved in the tight, so Mike must take credit for that."
Ruddock took over from former coach Hansen in March 2004, surprising many by pipping Llanelli Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins to the post.
Jenkins has already publicly declared that he would not accept the post under the current administrative regime. I think more shit will hit the fan this coming week on this issue but terrible preparation for Wales before the Ireland game whatever the outcome.
Self destruct??? I should think Scott Johnson left the dressing room with his back against the wall - leg shaving faries!
Maybe if they got some real men back in to the team, the backroom staff would feel a bit more secure. A bunch of prima donnas - be better off playing tiddly winks with the likes of David Beckham.
Other than Henson who is a bit of a prima donna but IS very talented who else do you consider falls into that catagory ??
Who would you replace them with ??
All in all, it's been an amazingly open 6 Nations tournament this year, with every team impressing on their day ! Even the pride of Scotland managed to confound their supporters to hump France AND England, lose badly to Wales, respectably to a fired-up Ireland and win luckily against Italy ! France have been erratic, Ireland pretty consistent, Wales in disarray and England full of piss and wind ! Actually, I've been impressed with the Eye Ties !
And to hark back to an earlier comment that Woodward was a bit unlucky with his Lions team.... well hell mend him for overlooking the Scots. The fact that he had none in his pool was the price of him. Sic transit gloria mundi, as they say in Sauchiehall Street.......
Agree with Kraka's Dad. Wales can take quite alot out of this years 6 nations - apart from the results! In the face of an astonishing injury list they blooded a makeshift side with blokes who were not even on the fringes of the squad a year ago and at least competed throughout the tournament. The off-field stuff must have compounded things and my own view is that Ruddock's timing was as poor as Henson's in his comeback game. Also agree that Henson is a tough cookie. Tanned and shaved he may be but he is built like a brick shithouse and hits hard.
As far as the tournament goes, I think the skill levels were pretty low throughout. The stats showed that it was one of the most error strewn championships ever. Best game was probably Scotland's win over France - that was on the opening day!
in' believe this! Halfway through the Six Nations as well. Typical!
