Hands off Ruddock, say Wales

The Western Mail's Simon Thomas reports that the Welsh Rugby Unions does not want its successful coach Mike Ruddock to coach the Lions on their South African tour of 2009.

In the midst of speculation that Ruddock is the man to turn Lions' fortunes around and do for them after their disasters in New Zealand what he did for Wales after the disastrous years in recent times. But Welsh rugby's CEO David Moffett does not believe he should try two roles, as Graham Henry did ion 2001.

Moffett said: "We would not be happy with the next Lions coach also being the Wales coach.

"The Lions must be very distracting and we want our coach to concentrate on Wales.

"The lessons of Henry's Lions tour to Australia are still valid.

"We'll have to look at what Mike wants to do after the World Cup in 2007. A sabbatical to do the Lions job is a possibility, but 2009 is a long time away and a lot can happen.

"There's no doubt in my mind that Mike would make a fantastic Lions coach if that is what he wanted, though."

Originally Wales did not want any of its management team involved with the Lions but then allowed Scott Johnson, Ruddock's assistant, to travel with the Lions. Ruddock declined Clive Woodward's invitation.