NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are becoming extremely concerned that they will lose coach Mike Ruddock, who is a strong candidate along with Llanelli's Gareth Jenkins to become the next Wales coach.

The closing date for applications for the Wales post is on Friday, and Ruddock has still not made up his mind whether to go for it, even at this late stage.

If he does, and if he is successful, it would be catastrophic for the Dragons because Ruddock has been absolutely central to everything the Dragons have achieved.

It has been a very rocky road from day one. The squad he helped assemble was criticised as not being good enough, then the region went into administration, six players had to be made redundant and others had to take a pay cut.

Yet through it all Ruddock has remained steadfast and refused to budge from his goals while steering the region forward through the stormy seas.

And he has brought them through to much calmer waters on the field, turning round a few early indifferent results into a run which has seen the team win six of their last seven games.

That has put the Dragons into a challenging third place in the Celtic League table and second in their Heineken Cup pool with victories over former champions Ulster and runners-up Stade Francais, the French champions.

Dragons chief executive David Jenkins is in no doubt about the value of Ruddock. "I'd like Mike to be coach here next year and for the future," he said.

"He's doing a wonderful job and he's a pleasure to work with. He is very professional, he has encompassed the regional concept and has got the respect of the players and the staff.

"If Mike wants to drive Wales forward we would say he is the best man for the job, but we also want to be in a position where we can make an offer to him."

There lies the problem because, incredible though it seems, Ruddock is not under contract.

Despite the support of benefactor Tony Brown, another admirer of Ruddock, the Dragons are in no position to make him an offer of a long-term contract.

If they, or someone highly supportive of the Dragons, could do that there is every chance Ruddock will remain and not even go for the Wales post which becomes vacant after the Six Nations Championship because Steve Hansen is returning to New Zealand.

Ruddock is thoroughly enjoying his Gwent role, and the fans are responding to him as well, even applauding him as he walked down the touchline before the match against Stade Francais on Saturday.

It is all in the hands of others. The only certainty is that time is running out fast.