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Mike Ruddock: Staying put.

MIKE Ruddock is not about to jump ship at Worcester Warriors and take over as the Ireland national coach.

The Sixways director of rugby has been linked with the post following the departure of Eddie O'Sullivan, who resigned on Wednesday after six-and-a-half years in charge.

O'Sullivan had come under increasing pressure after Ireland's poor showing at the Six Nations and last year's World Cup.

Ruddock's name has come to the fore after he led Wales to the Grand Slam in 2005, a feat they repeated this year.

But the Welshman, who was director of coaching at Irish club Leinster from 1997 to 2000, says he is happy at Worcester and intends to see out the remaining two years on his contract.

He said: "I am contracted with Worcester Warriors and am thoroughly enjoying myself here in the Guinness Premiership. I have another two years left on my contract and I'd like to see that job through if I could.

But he added: "I would be flattered to be linked with the post. That's for sure. I have got a huge regard for Irish rugby. At some stage in the future it would be great to get back to Ireland. I love Ireland and love working with the people there.

"Whether it's at club level, regional level or in the future, at some stage, if the Irish Rugby Union consider me as an option for the national team, that would be fantastic."

Ireland finished fourth in this month's Six Nations and failed to reach the knock-out stages of the World Cup.

Ruddock said: "I have got a huge regard for Eddie O'Sullivan. If you look at his record as Ireland coach, it is mightily impressive and I guess it's a sad day.

"Unfortunately, that's the life of the modern professional coach.

"You are judged on results and you are only as good as your last game.

"Unfortunately, the last year hasn't been as good as Eddie would have liked.

"Eddie will be a very proud man. He needs to walk tall, hold his head up high because his record as a coach is quite spectacular really in terms of the amount of games he has won as a coach at international level and three Triple Crowns.

"There will be no difficulty in him getting a new job."

7:50am Friday 21st March 2008

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