PEOPLE in the close-knit village of Blaina were stunned by the resignation of their most famous son in the middle of a Six Nations tournament.

Many said they believed there was far more behind Grand Slam winning coach Ruddock's decision than the family reasons that he gave for his shock departure.

And many said he was "too strong" a man to continue in the job, if he felt he was not being allowed to make his own decisions.

John Baker, aged 75, of The Laurels, said: "I think there is far more to it than we know about yet.

"He has done such an excellent job and hasn't had an easy time with all the injuries and suspensions. "This is a very sad day for Blaina and for Wales."

A friend of Mr Ruddock's late father, who asked not to be named, said: "He was an independent man and it is the same with Mike - he is a very straight man and won't put up with any nonsense.

"It seems the players want to pick the team themselves - and I think the WRU are not clamping down on them. It is as if the players are in charge!" Martin Griffin, of Hope Street, Blaina, said: "It has been such a shock but there is more to this than meets the eye.

"I don't think that it is family reasons - I think he has been pushed out. "He has done a brilliant job and we are all proud of him here. We think the world of him."

Fay Phelps said: "I am totally gutted - Mike has done a great job and I just hope they can find someone half as good to replace him."

And 78-year-old Dion Clark, of Abertillery Road, Blaina, said: "This was the biggest shock of our lives.

"When the truth comes out it could split Welsh rugby down the middle." Irishman Mick Kelly, who has lived in Blaina for 20 years, said: "The Welsh Rugby Union should come out and say exactly what has happened.

"Something has forced him out. He is a lovely person and something underhand has happened.

"Mike is a very genuine and honest person and he won't be trodden on." And David Davies, of Coedcae, Nantyglo, said he was extremely upset. "Mike has put Blaina and Wales on the map - we will be really sorry to lose him."