COME and see me -- that is the message from outgoing Wales coach Steve Hansen to his successor Mike Ruddock, the Newport Gwent Dragons chief.

Hansen takes charge of the Welsh team for the last time on Saturday in the Six Nations finale against Italy and he leaves for his New Zealand home on April 20.

Ruddock's two-year contract with a two-year option starts on May 1, with his first game against the Barbarians on May 26 followed by the summer tour in June to Argentina and South Africa.

"Mike has been given an open door. He's asked to spend some time with us when the Six Nations is over, and I'll give him as much time as he wants," he said.

"It's what you do when you're there that counts and I am sure Mike will do a good job."

Hansen admits the parting of the ways will be difficult. "Being the emotional person I am," he said (with heavy sarcasm) "it'll be tough when the job is finished which will be the time to reflect.

"There will never be a good time to go, but everyone knew when I was going from day one.

"It's been a good couple of years, it's been frustrating at times but I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to coach.

"The friends I've made outside the game I'll remember as well and my son was born here, so it's not something I'll ever forget.

"The team became like a family, it's been tight and close like all things a family have, but when it comes down to blood against a rugby family there's no choice.

"If Wales start winning it'll be satisfying because it will prove the foundations we laid were right.

"My whole goal was to leave the team in a healthy state which makes me go away quite happy. If a group of people haven't recognised it that's not my problem.

"But Saturday is not about me, it's about the team. We've had a tough three games against Ireland, France and England, now we're playing a team of similar ability on home ground."

Ticket sales for the Italy match have reached 65,000 which WRU group chief executive David Moffett says is more than the France match two years ago.

"The support has been awesome, which is a reflection of what the team is doing," said Hansen. "More people can now understand what we are trying to do.

"Italy have been an impressive side in the last two years. They've got a young pack which is performing and the backs are strong and capable of doing things."

Wales captain Colin Charvis paid tribute to Hansen. "He encouraged the squad to ask questions of one another, he brings in a great team and work ethic which he wants the guys to take back to the regions and grow. I've taken it back to France and it's gone down pretty well," he said.

"He has told us to be wary of criticism and where it comes from. Many who do haven't put on the international jersey, they haven't performed on that stage."

l Wales will play New Zealand, Japan and Romania in their autumn internationals this year, with David Moffett indicating there might be another as well.