Ruddock and his management team have selected on form, but the coach is paying no notice to the groundswell of enthusiasm in Wales which is based on close run defeats against the two Southern Hemisphere nations in the autumn and the All Blacks and England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
“Our record over the last twelve years in Cardiff speaks for itself when it comes to taking on the current World Champions,” said Ruddock. “England are an impressive side no matter what, but to suggest that we are anything but underdogs against the World Champions is more than ridiculous, its ‘cloud cuckoo land stuff’.
“They are used to beating the best teams in the world and we have won just two RBS Six Nations matches in the last two years, so we need to keep it all in perspective. We have a tough old tournament ahead of us with England and last year’s Triple Crown winners Ireland at home and away trips to Italy, who beat us two seasons ago, Scotland and France.
“At the same time, we are a much improved side and we are looking to carry on improving, looking to win games by playing an exciting brand of high tempo rugby and I’m chomping at the bit at the moment. The management team just want to get hold of the players and get out on the training pitch at the moment. They are all due in this Sunday and that’s when the hard work starts.”
One place in the squad has been left open for a front row player as the management team assess injuries over the next weekend of rugby. With the Ospreys’ Duncan Jones currently ruled out with a broken thumb and the Scarlets’ Iestyn Thomas struggling with a neck problem, Ospreys loosehead Paul James has been invited into training next week to monitor his progress.
“We believe this is an exciting squad representing traditional values of Welsh rugby and based on the performances in the autumn,” added Ruddock. “We have strength and experience up front and well recognised talent, pace and skill behind. “We have rewarded John Yapp and Ian Gough for impressing during the Heineken Cup competition, both have played well and we want to send a message out that consistently playing well, gets you in the squad.
“John is a young man with a big future. Despite his youth he has been playing in the Blues team for two years so has racked up some mileage on his playing clock. He has international size and is a big physical lad and a good ball carrier with a high tackle count. He does the basics well, but he has really caught the eye with his engine and impressive work rate.”
