Ruddock said, “Continuing with the spirit of cooperation that has been so apparent between the national management and the Regions this season, we have decided to release the Blues players back to their Region for this match. The Heineken Cup is the top domestic competition in the northern hemisphere at the moment and it is the best way to prepare players for the international stage.
“Ideally, we’d like all our national players to be competing for their clubs and Regions in the Heineken Cup and we wish the Blues the very best of luck in their vital qualification match in Italy.
“The Regions all cooperated with our needs by standing down players before our opening Six Nations match against England and we are happy to return the favour.”
Ruddock will announce his tour squad on Friday May 6th and with 10 senior Wales players travelling to New Zealand with the Lions, there is certainly room for youngsters to put their hands up for places for the two-match tour.
“I have already held a number of meetings with staff from the U21 management team and senior selectors to discuss criteria and possible selection for the tour but the viewing and selection panel will have a busy time over the next few weeks. We will be looking at Premiership and Regional games in Wales as well as games in England so while we have a strong, settled squad to work with, there is certainly an opportunity for young players making their mark to put their hands up.
“With so many players selected for the British and Irish Lions, it is critical that we keep the team cohesion, consistency and level of success that we have worked so hard to achieve. It is a great chance for players on the fringe of the squad and players making an impression at U21 level to compete for places in the side, particularly with a thrilling autumn series coming up against the three southern hemisphere superpowers.”
Mike Ruddock, along with WRU General Manager Steve Lewis, is meeting with the four Welsh Regions over the course of today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) as part of an ongoing process with regards to the criteria laid out in the rugby charter all the Regions signed up to within the Participation Agreement.
The discussions involve all matters ranging from players’ fitness and conditioning, national team training programmes and testing dates, player selection and nominations for national teams and player recruitment to regions.
Meanwhile Mike Ruddock will be attending various events in North Wales on Monday and Tuesday of next week (April 26th/27th). The Wales coach will be taking the RBS 6 Nations Trophy to the North Powys Tag Festival in Newtown Rugby Club on Monday between 12.30pm and 2pm before addressing the North Wales Coaching Association in Llandudno in the evening.
On Tuesday, (11am) he will be at Coleg Menai in Bangor where he will meet the winning teams from the Gwynedd Tag Festival which takes place in Bangor on Monday 25th April. He will also meet students on the HND Sports Science course who have organised the Tag Festival after being trained as Qualified Skills Coaches as a joint venture between Coleg Menai and the Welsh Rugby Union.
On Tuesday evening (7pm – 9pm), Mike will be one of the guests taking part in a sports forum at Denbigh Rugby Club, to be broadcast live on Radio Wales’ Midweek Sport programme. Supporters can request a place at this forum, by contacting Denbigh Rugby Club secretary Jeff Jenkins on 01545 890 565.
