| Caretaker coach must breathe fire
into Welsh dragon BY DAVID THORPE
 Ireland’s
six nations match with Wales has been somewhat overshadowed by the reverberations
from the resignation of the Dragons’ head coach Mike Ruddock.
Ruddock’s shock departure has led to reports of disquiet in the
triple-crown winners’ camp so the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision
to stay in-house with their choice of Ruddock’s successor looks
a brave one.
Scott Johnson will be in charge of the Dragons for the remainder of the
Six Nations, and beyond.
Johnson, who served under Mike Ruddock as skills coach, was widely expected
to be returning to his native Australia to serve as assistant to the Wallabies’
new manager, Gary Connolly.
The resignation of Ruddock is sure to impact on the morale of the Welsh
players who have been quick to come out in support of their former manager.
Hugely regarded by the Welsh board and players alike he is thought of
as a safe pair of hands and played a major role in developing the running
game which carried the men from The Valleys to the triple crown last year.
He will be assisted by former Welsh forward Robin McBryde.
It is not known at present whether Johnson covets the post permanently,
but it is certain that although Saturday marks the return to action of
Welsh rugby’s poster boy, Gavin Henson, the cameras will be trained
on the sideline at the publicity-shy coach thrown by circumstance into
the cauldron of the Six Nations.
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