Swansea University has presented an honorary degree to Mike Ruddock OBE, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Welsh rugby and his long-standing connection with the region’s sporting community.
Widely regarded as one of Wales’s finest rugby coaches, Mike Ruddock was born in Blaina, Gwent, in 1959. His playing career began at Blaina RFC and included 123 appearances and 43 tries for Swansea RFC, featuring in high-profile matches against Australia, the New Zealand Māoris and Zimbabwe. He was part of the Wales senior squad from 1982 to 1984.
At just 26, an accident at work brought his playing career to an early end, but it marked the beginning of an exceptional coaching journey. Mike Ruddock led Blaina to league and cup titles before coaching Cross Keys and Bective Rangers in Ireland. At Swansea RFC, he oversaw victories including a famous win over Australia in 1992, two Welsh league titles and the Welsh Cup.
In 1997, he became Leinster’s director of coaching, securing the Inter Provincial Championship and awarding first professional contracts to future stars like Brian O’Driscoll. Returning to Wales in 2000, he coached Ebbw Vale, Wales A and Newport Gwent Dragons to their best-ever finish.
Appointed Wales head coach in 2004, Ruddock guided the national team to the historic 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam – their first since 1978.
He was appointed OBE in the 2006 Year's Honours List for services to rugby.
Following his international coaching career, Ruddock continued to deliver success across a range of teams. Under his leadership, Lansdowne RFC secured three All Ireland League titles in 2013, 2015 and 2018, as well as the All-Ireland Cup in 2018. He later returned to Wales in 2020 as Ospreys Performance Director, before retiring in 2024 at the age of 66.
Upon receiving his honorary award, Mike Ruddock said: “My links to Swansea University stretch back to my playing days when we would often train on the running track and in the gym at the University. Swansea University lecturer and head coach Stan Addicott was my coach at the Whites in those days. The link was very strong. When I coached Swansea RFC, I would often watch Swansea University play and I selected university student Chris Clarke to play for the Whites against the World Champions, Australia, in November 1992. Chris starred as his team recorded a famous 21-6 victory.
"After living in Ireland for many years I returned to Swansea as the development director at the Ospreys. As part of my role there I set about working closely with Swansea University to attract talented players into the region. I really enjoyed promoting the outstanding reputation of Swansea University on a global stage. Swansea University's ability to attract, nurture and develop the brightest academic and sporting talent was a lasting memory of my time in rugby."