Leinster star Rhys Ruddock teases major career change after announcing retirement as he opens up on ‘exciting times’
LEINSTER stalwart Rhys Ruddock revealed his thirst for coaching is one reason behind his decision to retire.
Now 33, the back row — who made the first of 228 club appearances back in December 2009 — announced on Tuesday that he would call time on his playing career at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
But he insists there are “a lot of exciting times ahead”.
Although born in Dublin, Ruddock also spent a large part of his childhood in Wales and attended Millfield School in Somerset, England for two years as a boarder.
Where he lived during his formative years was primarily based on where his father Mike was a coach.
In addition to guiding his native Wales to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005, the elder Ruddock had stints with Swansea, Leinster, the Dragons and Worcester Warriors.
He also had a successful spell at south Dublin club Lansdowne in the All-Ireland League and, in that regard, Rhys is beginning to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
He explained: “There’s so many factors, but the main ones being that I have been coaching as well as playing the last three years.
“I was doing Lansdowne Under-20s as an assistant.
“Then, after a year-and-a-half, I took on the head role there. Which was more of a responsibility, more time and more energy. Hard to balance the two.
“I did Leinster Schools Under-18s over the summer, I was enjoying my coaching a lot. Putting a lot more into it but getting a hell of a lot out of it.
“I don’t think it’s manageable to keep doing the two. I definitely feel it has taken its toll on my energy levels. I have been enjoying the coaching more and more, putting more time into it.
“I haven’t played as much this year and the body feels relatively good, and to get out while the body feels good is a real positive.
“So it just felt like the timing was right for me.
“Also, expecting our first baby in five weeks’ time, so we’ve got a lot of exciting times ahead.”
SILVERWARE
While there is still a shot at silverware in the URC in the coming weeks — he is expected to feature against Connacht at the RDS tomorrow evening — Ruddock has already achieved plenty at the highest level.
Despite not seeing game-time in the finals themselves, he made appearances during Leinster’s successful Champions Cup campaigns of 2011, 2012 and 2018, and also picked up six league crowns and a Challenge Cup.
Additionally, he captained the Ireland Under-20s to a Six Nations in 2010 before tasting Championship glory with the senior side under Joe Schmidt four years later.
Despite being focused on what he hopes will be a fitting swansong, Ruddock admits he already has a number of treasured memories to look back on.
The 27-cap ace added: “I am trying to concentrate on not looking back too much.
“Really enjoy this last bit and achieve something with this group.
“Sometimes I have been harsh on myself, but when I saw some of the stuff in the statement there is definitely so much that I have achieved and I will be hugely proud of.
“Playing international rugby and being as good as I could be was always the goal, but playing this long at Leinster, one of the best clubs in the world, and to captain Leinster and Ireland, those are things that I would have never imagined doing.”