Mike Ruddock hopes the WRU have 'learned from their mistakes'

The ex-Wales coach told the BBC's Sport Wales programme he hopes the WRU have "learned from their mistakes" following the last clean-sweep in 2005.

Within a year of that triumph, Ruddock left and Welsh rugby was in civil war.

Welsh Rugby Union Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said lessons had been learned "the hard way" and the challenge now was to deal with success.

Interview: Mike Ruddock

Ruddock told the programme "What could create difficulty if it breaks up from within and the coaches don't pull together, that certainly happened in 2005."

It is the first time Ruddock has revealed the coaching split which culminated in his departure as Wales coach.

Ruddock was a shock appointment as Wales coach in 2004 but he had to work alongside skills coach Scott Johnson who remained from previous coach Steve Hansen's regime.

But Wales' 2008 Grand Slam winning coach Warren Gatland was allowed by the WRU to pick his own backroom staff.

Defence guru Shaun Edwards and attack coach Rob Howley have been instrumental in Wales' phenomenal success in Gatland's first campaign.

Wales are a lot stronger squad now compared to 2005 Wales' 2005 Grand Slam winning coach Mike Ruddock

Ruddock's team failed to build on their Grand Slam glory of 2005 as the best of the southern hemisphere beat the then kings of Europe.

Ruddock and the WRU parted company in acrimonious circumstances midway through the 2006 Six Nations as Welsh rugby threatened to implode.

Welsh rugby then under-performed for 18 months which culminated in an embarrassing early World Cup exit to Fiji in 2007.

Ruddock believes the class of 2008 can enjoy sustained success in Europe and against rugby's elite, such as world champions South Africa and the great New Zealand, both of whom Wales play later this year.

"The most important thing is the head coach has an opportunity to pick his own coaching team," said Ruddock.

"Everyone must be on the same wavelength and pulling together in the same direction.

"I think everyone has learned from 2005 and the WRU gave a vote of confidence for the coaching team.

"There seems to be harmony now because ultimately the head coach has got the coaches he wants on board to take the team forward.

"It's important for the WRU to nail these guys down for the foreseeable future, that didn't really happen in 2005 but I'm sure lessons have been learned."

WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis, who took over in 2006 after Ruddock left, said he had concentrated on getting "the right people on the bus, sitting in the right seats".

"We've learnt our lessons the hard way in Wales now and dealing with success and coping with success is the challenge," Lewis added.

Edwards' initial WRU deal expired after the Six Nations but the Wasps head coach has told Wales rugby chiefs he wants to remain as Gatland's assistant.

"Shaun Edwards is a great capture for Welsh rugby," said Ruddock, who is now head coach at Worcester Warriors.

"England must be kicking themselves as he is doing so well in Wales but it is important Shaun is made to feel there is a long-term coaching pathway for him in Wales.

"The coaching team together have had a big impact and have ensured Wales have gone on to fulfil their potential."

The architect of Wales' first Grand Slam for 27 years believes the 2008 squad is stronger than his successful squad of three years ago.

"Their success hasn't surprised me because they have a lot of fine players," said Ruddock.

"Many players this year were involved in 2005 but the younger guys have added greater depth and quality to that squad.

606: DEBATE The WRU now appear subserviant to Gatland et al rather than the other way around as per 2005 RugbyShrink

"The emergence of James Hook, Alun Wyn Jones has developed superbly and Lee Byrne is a better player now.

"Wales are a lot stronger squad now than in 2005 but the question is why they didn't do well before?

"Overall it looks a very healthy picture for Welsh rugby, a golden era of players possibly.

"Even though Ireland have won Triple Crowns, they have not made an impact in a World Cup or nailed a Grand Slam.

"And you could argue this is their golden era as players like Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy are a once in a lifetime crop.

"They've had a certain amount of success but you could argue they haven't gone the whole way and crossed the line to the very top level.

"But Wales have won two Grand Slams and have a great opportunity for sustained success as they've a good and very young squad with a great manager."

* Sport Wales is on BBC Two Wales and 2W, Thursday at 2200 GMT and repeated on Friday at 2100 GMT on 2W only.