CHRIS Anderson will bring something different to Welsh rugby, says Mike Ruddock (pictured), now Wales coach, about the man who succeeded him as Newport Gwent Dragons coach.
Ruddock watched the Dragons beat Ulster last Saturday from somewhere near the back of the stand.
"I've had several meetings with Chris. We want to see someone different coming in and improving the product," said Ruddock about the former Australian rugby league coach.
"If we see someone who can take us forward it could interest us. The Dragons played some good rugby against Ulster and scored some nice tries.
"However long Chris is with us, I hope we'll learn something from him and that he'll learn from us."
Ruddock is pushing the claims of the Welsh regions to win the Celtic League this season, the competition having taken on greater significance with the decision of the Irish Rugby Union to base Heineken Cup qualification on finishing places in the Celtic League.
"We've got a good chance. Llanelli won it last season and the Dragons pushed them all the way," he said. "It will be interesting to see Llanelli's defence of the title and the challenge of the other regions. Each squad in the competition is very strong and capable of challenging.
"The Welsh regions look strong and organised and I hope this is reflected in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup and with Wales. I'm excited about the season and I want the Welsh public to be excited."
Wales fitness chief Andrew Hore has been to France and England to consult with the clubs who have attracted leading Welsh players like Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones and Colin Charvis.
"The French are more individually based than the national team, which is treated separately. We are looking for an integrated approach and what that can give us as a group," he said.
"Ideally we are looking at a ten-week conditioning period, but we understand it's been pretty tough this year with a long tour.
"We've identified five areas where we need to improve like the academies, youth structure with physical conditioning and our own resources and facilities."
Hore also painted a vastly different picture of today's leading player. "The days of Welsh players' behaviour letting themselves down are gone," he stressed.
"The heaviest All Blacks forward in the 1920s would be the lightest now. Bigger men are throwing themselves at one another more than before, the game has evolved and we are putting ourselves up against a better structure.
"We are not trying to undermine the product but enhance it. The Super 12 and Zurich championships are strong and powerful, we've got a number of challenges which we'll talk through with the regions."
Ruddock says the deal with the regions over player availability highlights the need for a balance to be struck and the fact that fans want to see the best players on the field.
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