Good Start For Ruddock : Irish Rugby

New Wales coach Mike Ruddock began his reign in the best possible way when his side defeated the Barbarians in Bristol yesterday evening scoring 42 points without reply.

New Wales coach Mike Ruddock began his reign in the best possible way when his side defeated the Barbarians in Bristol yesterday evening scoring 42 points without reply.

However, it was a victory that carried a high price tag with full-back Gareth Thomas stretchered off midway through the second half with what appeared to be an ankle ligament injury.

Record international try-scorer Thomas, must now be considered very doubtful for the Wales tour to Argentina and SouthAfrica next month.

Nor will his new French club, Toulouse be overjoyed with the news of the injury. Thomas is due to formally sign for the beaten Heinken Cup finalists today (Thursday) in a two-year deal believed to be worth in the region of 300,000 per annum.

Wales ran in seven tries - one for Thomas before he was injured - with Rhys Williams, Dwayne Peel, Gavin Henson,Hal Luscombe and Ceri Sweeney all touching-down while fly-half Sweeney added a further 12points

from the boot.

Wales began the match without many of their frontline players with Iestyn Harris, Stephen Jones,Gareth Cooper and Robin McBryde among more than a dozen players sidelinedthrough injury.

Felix Jones, who is the visiting coach in Ireland camp this week, spoke to Irish Rugby TV about how 'interesting' and 'valuable' his time in Tokyo has been, and also what the transition from player to coach is like. He retired in October 2015 and is now Munster's back-line and attack coach.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's second Test against Japan, Ireland tour captain Rhys Ruddock said: "We've been happy with the results so far, and there's been bits of the performances we've been really happy with and some bits that we're looking to improve on. Tomorrow marks the last opportunity to go out and do that, so we're all really excited about getting out there now."