Mike becomes the second member of the Welsh management to be honoured in this fashion and his award is recognition of the renaissance of Welsh rugby at international level during his reign as Welsh coach, culminating in a first Grand Slam in 27 years in 2005.
Clive Rowlands, who was coach during the 1971 Grand Slam campaign, was awarded an OBE in 1988 after he had been team manager when Wales finished third in the inaugural Rugby World Cup. Carwyn James also received an OBE, along with tour captain John Dawes, for his part in masterminding as coach the British & Irish Lions victory in New Zealand in 1971.
The announcement today will come as a major boost for Mike, the rest of the Welsh management team and the players’ just weeks before they launch the defence of their RBS Six Nations title at the home of the reigning world champions, England, on Saturday, 4 February.
“I am pleased to have been named in the New Year’s honours list and I accept this on behalf of the entire Welsh team and management. It’s not about me, but is a reflection of the success the team enjoyed last season,” said a delighted Mike Ruddock.
“The fact that we brought the Grand Slam back to Wales after 27 years is truly down to every member of the team and back room staff. As a proud Welshman, I feel hugely privileged to accept this honour and I know all the players feel huge pride in being Welsh and playing a brand of rugby that brought a smile to a vast number of people in Wales, the UK and around the world during last season’s RBS Six Nations campaign.
“The award also goes to all those people who have supported us and got behind us. We must now strive to build on that success as we move towards the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France – there is a long way to go yet to fulfill our ambitions.”
Welsh Rugby’s Honours List * Please note that not all the honours listed for the people below were awarded solely for services to rugby
Presidents:
Horace Lyne MBE
Sir David Rocyn Jones CBE
WR Thomas MBE
Tommy Vile MBE
Wilf Faull MBE
Ivor Jones CBE
Ken Harris CBE
Les Spence MBE
Cliff Jones OBE
Osmond John OBE
Clive Rowlands OBE
Secretaries:
Bill Clement OBE
Ray Williams OBE
Coaches:
Carwyn James OBE
Mike Ruddock OBE
Players:
Henry Phillips OBE; Marsden Jones CBE; Elfed Lewis MBE; Arthur Rees CBE; Jack Matthews OBE, Bleddyn Williams MBE; Ken Jones OBE; Cliff Morgan OBE, CVO; Leighton Jenkins MBE; David Watkins MBE; John Dawes OBE; Barry John MBE; Jeff Young OBE; Gareth Edwards MBE; Mervyn Davies OBE; Phil Bennett OBE; Gerald Davies CBE; JPR Williams MBE; Robert Jones MBE; Jonathan Davies MBE; Ieuan Evans MBE; Neil Jenkins MBE
Referee: Derek Bevan MBE
