The t Dragons Coach was named as the successor to Steve Hansen as National Coach last week and will take up his appointment in May ahead of the uncapped match against the Barbarians and the summer tour to Argentina and South Africa.
“I’ve always supported Wales whenever and wherever they have played, but I will be watching Saturday’s game with extra interest. It is going to be a huge test of the Wales team as a whole, players and coaches, but I’m sure they will rise to the challenge,” said Ruddock. “England may be the World Champions, but that only adds to the incentive for the players as they bid to end a sixteen year wait for a Wales win at Twickenham.
“If they go into the game with the same attitude they adopted in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Brisbane earlier in the season then anything could happen.”
Ruddock has been invited to attend some of the Wales training sessions and meetings in the build-up to Steve Hansen’s final game in charge of Wales next week, against Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 27th March.
“Steve has been very supportive of me since I was named as his successorand has already offered me a lot of advice. His invitation to witness his side’s preparations for the game against Italy will give me an invaluable insight into the RBS Six Nations arena,” said Ruddock.
“However, I have not lost sight of the fact that I am still the Head Coach of the Dragons and that we have a hugely important Celtic League fixture at Rodney Parade against the Celtic Warriors on Friday 26th March. That game will be the main focus of my attention throughout the week.”
