WHEN the men from the Emerald Isle take to the field next Saturday to try and stop Wales' dream of winning a Grand Slam, there will be one Irish family loudly cheering Ruddock's heroes.

Bernadette Ruddock, wife of Wales coach Mike, will be placing her Irish roots to one side, along with the rest of her extensive family, to urge on the Welsh XV come kick-off time.

Mrs Ruddock, who originally hails from Dublin but now lives near Swansea along with Mike and their three children, insists there will be no mixed emotions when the two teams kick off with the Six Nations championship at stake.

"There will not even be a hint of divided loyalties," said Mrs Ruddock. "I'm a turncoat!

"This weekend I will be supporting Wales 100% as will the rest of my family, apart from one aunt who insists on supporting Ireland no matter what.

"I have five sisters and two brothers and those who are not coming to Cardiff this weekend will be getting together in Dublin to watch the game and will be supporting Wales."

Bernadette has another reason to support Wales for her father, Terry Wymer, was a Newportonian who met her mother while she was nursing in Gwent.

After getting married, the couple moved to Belfast before settling in Dublin.

Mr Wymer, who died ten years ago, was even responsible for introducing Mike to Bernadette while Swansea rugby club were in Dublin for a rugby tour during the 1980s.

"My father was a proud Welshman who was in the Welsh choir in Dublin so I grew up with that and rugby special on the TV," said Mrs Ruddock.

"Sadly he is not around today to see all this as he died ten years ago but he would be so, so proud. I'm sure he is looking down with a smile on his face.