The Dragons then sprung another surprise during the summer with the shock appointment of ex-Australia rugby league coach Chris Anderson after Ruddock was handed the Wales job and first choice Declan Kidney pulled out.
Anderson has absolutely no experience in rugby union whatsoever but with expectancy levels raised at Rodney Parade after last season’s success, the pressure will be on.
Last season at Rodney Parade was most notable for the defensive and set-piece organisation under Ruddock and Griffiths but the arrival of talents such as Wales half-backs Gareth Cooper and Ceri Sweeney will add a cutting edge to their play.
The success of Percy Montgomery, fresh from his Tri Nations glory with South Africa, will also be a huge boost for the Dragons.
Richard Bryan, Jon Bryant, Gareth Wyatt and Kevin Morgan have all arrived from the Warriors and there is now genuine competition for every position on the field.
