Ruddock has turned his back on rugby for a new career in business

Ruddock's sudden departure as coach midway through the 2006 Six Nations sent shock waves around Welsh rugby.

After leading Wales to their first Grand Slam in 27 years, it had been presumed that the 46-year-old would not be short of new coaching opportunities.

Instead, it has been announced that Ruddock is joining Newport recruitment and training company Acorn.

He is the firm's new commercial development manager and Acorn said he will play a key role in helping them achieve their ambition of increasing their annual turnover to over �100m in the next three years.

He brings particular skills and abilities as well as enormous respect Mike Southall, Acorn

He will also work in Acorn's training and learning division developing leadership and management programmes.

Managing director Mike Southall, said: "To have secured Mike's services is great news for our company.

"He brings particular skills and abilities as well as enormous respect earned during his days as one of the world's top rugby coaches."

Earlier this month Ruddock issued a statement with the Welsh Rugby Union saying they had parted company by "mutual consent" and that "this chapter of my life is completed".

The father-of-three stood down amid controversy in February, citing family reasons.

He had previously said he wanted to see his contract through this year's Six Nations, but instead the WRU appointed Australian skills coach Scott Johnson as caretaker coach for the remainder of the campaign.

Last month he received his OBE at Buckingham Palace

Before landing Welsh rugby's top job, Ruddock played in the back-row for Blaina, Tredegar and Swansea until an industrial accident forced him to take up coaching at an early age.

Coaching jobs took him to Swansea and Irish club Leinster, as well as spells back home with Ebbw Vale and the Wales A team

On Wednesday Ruddock said he was looking forward to becoming involved in many aspects of Acorn's business, both in developing new opportunities and providing a service to existing clients.

"Acorn has been one of the outstanding business successes in Wales during the last decade, during which time they have also contributed an enormous amount to Welsh sport," he said.