MIKE Ruddock is ready to break his silence and finally give his version of events leading up to his sensational resignation and subsequent early dismissal as Wales rugby coach.

In a shock development, the story the whole of Welsh rugby has been waiting to hear may at last be given to Gwent (District A) clubs, blowing what has become known as the Ruddockgate controversy wide open again.

If Ruddock's version, which he is prepared to give subject to approval by his legal advisers, proves to be at odds with the version given by WRU chief executive Steve Lewis and chairman David Pickering at their Redzone Roadshows, it could precipitate the long-expected extraordinary general meeting of clubs (EGM) many have called for.

New District A secretary Terry Vaux, once a WRU official, confirmed he had received a letter from Ruddock stating he was considering the offer to speak to clubs.

The earliest opportunity he could would be at their next meeting on Monday, April 10. "I can confirm that on behalf of District A I wrote to Mike Ruddock inviting him to attend a meeting of the clubs to give his version of events," said Vaux.

"I have received a letter back thanking the clubs and his friends in Gwent for their support and confirming that he is thinking over the invitation.

"But first he has to consult his legal advisers and as a lawyer myself I thoroughly understand that."

Vaux confirmed that the Redzone Roadshow had been well received without emotion by Gwent clubs but that they wanted to hear Ruddock's version of events to get a balanced overall picture.

Another source close to Ruddock confirmed to the Argus that the coach who led Wales to the 2005 Grand Slam was keener than ever before to give his story.

He had been particularly offended by a weekend report implying he might accept a "gagging" clause in any severance agreement with the WRU.

He wanted to speak to the clubs in the county of his birth and where he played his rugby with home town club Blaina and Tredegar before cutting his coaching teeth with Blaina and Cross Keys.

The source confirmed the opening of talks between the WRU and Ruddock's legal advisers in a bid to draw a line under the affair had been at the Union's instigation.

Ruddock was asked to leave his post as Wales coach following this season's Six Nations victory over Scotland after disclosing he had decided to resign at the end of the tournament for family reasons.

Assistant coach Scott Johnson took over for the rest of the Six Nations, Wales subsequently losing to Ireland and France and drawing with Italy, before announcing last week that he too was quitting for family reasons to take up an assistant coach's role with the Australian RU.