RUDDOCK BACKS COACHING PLAN

And Ruddock, who yesterday helped launch the Sports Council for Wales ‘Coaching Wales’ scheme, knows all about coaching success.

“Coaches have the ability to source and mould young talent into the stars of the future and instil the core values of hard work, accountability, belief and – above all – enjoyment into the game.”

The Wales boss was happy to reveal the coaching secrets that led his side to an emphatic RBS Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year. But he warned that it is important not to “over-coach” players and explained how getting the players involved off the field has helped stretch Wales’s unbeaten run to eight games.

“The key is often not to over-coach players – its a matter of liberating, not limiting them” he said. “You’ve got to get them involved in making decisions so when they go out and play they have real belief in what they are doing rather than you just telling them what to do. Rugby is not chess – things change in front of you.”

The Dragons leapt ahead of England to claim fifth spot in the IRB Rankings last month and the improvement is largely thanks to Ruddock’s fast, flowing style of rugby that has won Wales the praise of All Blacks coach Graham Henry. And he insists he will not change the winning formula that delivered Wales’s first Grand Slam in three decades.

“My theory was simple and straight-forward – to promote something that showed the strengths of the team” he said. “If your defence is strong, you promote that while improving other sides of the game and the same goes for attack.”

Ruddock will come face to face with ex-Wales boss Henry when he brings his All Blacks team to the Millennium Stadium on November 5. The bonfire night clash is certain to provide fireworks, pitting two of the world’s most exciting teams against one another a year after the All Blacks left the Welsh Capital battered and bruised with a one-point victory.

“It will be a big ask to beat New Zealand on the back of what will be just four days preparation” said Ruddock. “But we’ll take confidence from last year’s game. I’m excited and I want to win.

“The welsh lions are really looking forward to the game. There is a superb spirit within the camp, led by Alfie, and a great camaraderie around the team.

“When the game comes around we may be lacking time together but could make up for that in other ways.”