MIKE Ruddock has been urged to stay as Newport Gwent Dragons coach and not apply for the Wales post by Dragons director Martyn Hazell.

Ruddock and Llanelli Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins are expected to go head to head for the Wales job which is being vacated by Steve Hansen at the end of the Six Nations.

Phil Davies, the other front runner from the Welsh candidates, has withdrawn from the race because he wants to stay with Zurich Premiership club Leeds for family reasons.

The former Wales captain has recently signed a new four-year contract with Leeds, his children are at a crucial stage with their schooling, and he feels the time is not right to go for the Wales job, though he would like the job at some stage in his career.

But Hazell, who has earned widespread praise for brokering the deal with the Welsh Rugby Union which has saved the Dragons, appeals to Ruddock to stay.

"I would like to see him remain because he's doing a good job and it would be a loss to the Dragons if he went," said Hazell.

"We are in second place in the Celtic League table and we're almost in mid-season.

"Mike is a good manager and I think the players do what he says.

"I would like him to see the season out at the very least."

The WRU have asked regional coaches who are interested in the Wales job to apply for the post by the end of today.

Ruddock was not available for comment, but earlier in the week he was still uncertain about his future with the Dragons still in disarray.

More uncertainty and trouble off the field and he would have pursued the Wales job.

But with a favourable solution now reached, Ruddock may well want to finish what he has started with the Dragons.

He has already admitted that is his main focus and he is enjoying the job immensely.

Despite all the problems, the rifts and going into administration, Ruddock has kept the squad fully focused which has produced an unbeaten home record, a crucial victory at Cardiff, and that rise to second place in the table.

Now the emphasis switches to the Heineken Cup and this week's settlement should encourage the fans to watch regional rugby at Rodney Parade. Former winners Ulster are first up at Rodney Parade a week on Sunday when a crowd of at least 5,000 is expected.

Hazell points out that the WRU chairman David Pickering, who is the new chairman of the Dragons board, will have a vote at board meetings, but not a casting vote.