"I'd like to thank the Welsh Rugby Union for nominating me," said Ruddock.

"As I've said all along, winning the Grand Slam last year was a great team effort by the players and management."

Jealousy at Ruddock's New Year's Honours list award was rumoured to have been one reason behind his shock exit from the Wales job in February.

The Blaina man, 46, is still holding counsel on his version of his exit from the job.

"I've just been working on my garden, it's the best in the street now," he told BBC Wales.

"When that's finished I'm sure we can make some plans for the future."

The 245 member clubs of the WRU now seem set to call an Extraordinary General Meeting to address concerns with the 17-man board of directors.

Those relate chiefly to the handling of Ruddock's exit, after the WRU's Red Zone roadshow failed to answer all their questions.

WRU face Gwent challenge

Many clubs are eager to hear Ruddock's side of the story, and he is thought to be keen to break his silence in his local Gwent region if his legal advisers agree.

The clubs are also concerned about the failure to appoint a group chief executive following David Moffett's surprise exit last December.

The director's role being performed by Millennium Stadium boss Paul Sergeant has caused disquiet, as has the WRU's criticism of clubs after international tickets found their way onto the black market, and issues over lower league structures.