NEWPORT'S inspirational captain during some of their recent golden years reckons that current Dragons coach Mike Ruddock will land the top job of Welsh national boss.

And if Ruddock does not achieve his goal now should he eventually apply for it due to Steve Hansen's departure, then it is only a matter of time before he DOES get it.

Also last year's Rodney Parade skipper Simon Raiwalui thinks that the Welsh Rugby Union will be left with little choice than to bring Ruddock into the fold in some capacity.

The big Fijian lock, who led Newport for two years after Springbok Gary Teichmann went home, is now with Zurich Premiership outfit Saracens. But he says a large part of him will always remain in Newport and Gwent rugby.

He said: "I think that Gareth Jenkins at Llanelli would be the number one choice as Welsh coach because people say he is very inspirational and knowledgeable.

"I have never been coached by Mike but I know from his reputation in Wales that he is qualified enough and he's a very good motivator of men and good at what he does.

"If he does not get the Welsh coaching job, he will be involved in some other capacity in the set-up there.

"But I'm sure that he will be the Welsh coach sometime in his life."

Raiwalui has also told of his sadness at discovering that the rugby public of Newport have not given their backing to the regional set-up.

The big second row said: "I came down to Newport from London recently to renew my passport and paid a visit to Rodney Parade. I saw that the Family Village was not operating any more and that the fans were chanting 'Newport, Newport'. That's very sad.

"Any team playing at Rodney Parade deserves support whether they are Newport or the Dragons.

"The (Dragons) players have been written off right from the start, with people saying it will not work. Now they are getting better and better. I would hope that the fans will support them now."