WRU chief executive Steve Lewis today strongly refuted allegations that "player power" had led to the shock departure of Wales coach Mike Ruddock.

In a robust interview, he denied speculation senior players had called for a meeting with him to discuss their lack of confidence in the man who took them to Grand Slam triumph.

He insisted he was unaware of any discontent among senior players about Mike Ruddock's coaching style. And he gave a detailed explanation of the events which he said led up to the dramatic turn of events on Tuesday.

He accused the media of inaccurate reporting and that, rather than "player power", it was "press power" that was causing the controversy.

Mr Lewis, the former Ebbw Vale scrum half who now lives in Abergavenny and took over the top role in the WRU in December, said reports that he was going to ask Mike Ruddock to resign were "absolute nonsense".

He said that when he met Ruddock, at the coach's request, at 1pm on Tuesday, it was Ruddock who "dropped a bombshell" when he told him he wanted to withdraw from contract negotiations.

"He cited quite clearly that the reasons were the pressures and his family. I did try to persuade Mike to change his mind and he said he wouldn't. I asked if he would reconsider making an announcement until after the Six Nations - because any announcement half way through the Six Nations was going to have maximum disruption - and he said he wouldn't."

Lewis insisted the WRU always had confidence in Ruddock and he had their unequivocal support. "The decision to announce he was no longer interested in the job was entirely Mike's."

Lewis also gave details about contact negotiations with Ruddock.

He said they had shaken hands on a contract last July but before it was signed Ruddock "introduced legal advice" which led to re-negotiations suspended for the Six Nations.

Lewis spoke of a £20,000 "performance bonus" the WRU board agreed to make to those involved in preparing the team following last season's results.

Ruddock wanted his paid into a pension plan and it was agreed to pay £18,000 into a plan of his choice, with the rest paid in monthly installments.

Lewis said he had the full support of the board and added that the press should respect Ruddock's reasons for leaving.