Wales coach Mike Ruddock last night sensationally quit his post. Ruddock - who led Wales to an historic Six Nations Grand Slam last year - said he was leaving for family reasons, effective immediately. Assistant coach Scott Johnson will be in charge for the Ireland game in Dublin on Sunday week.

"After consultation with my family, I have made the decision to stand down," said Ruddock, who was honoured with an OBE in the New Year's honours list.

"On that basis, I have decided to withdraw from contract talks to take Wales to the 2007 World Cup in France. This has been a tough decision to make, but I have decided to put my family first.

"What I have found during my two years as coach is that this position is 'more than a job'. That has meant I have spent long periods away from my family, in camp and on overseas tours.

"As a consequence, I felt the intense build-up to next year's World Cup would mean more time away from my family. That is something which, on reflection, I would like to avoid."

The 46-year-old took over the national post from current All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen at the end of the 2004 Six Nations. He has been in charge for 20 Tests, winning 13, including Wales' first Grand Slam for 27 years and a rare victory over Australia last autumn.

"Mike's announcement, and the timing of it, has obviously come as a shock and will be a blow to Welsh rugby as a whole," said WRU chief executive Steve Lewis.

"It is public knowledge that we have been in contract negotiations with Mike for some time in order to agree an extension through to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and beyond.

"As a result of Mike's decision it has been agreed between us that it would be inappropriate for both him, and for the team itself, for him to continue to prepare the team for the remaining games in the Six Nations and I have asked Scott Johnson to assume that responsibility for the games against Ireland, Italy and France."

Former Wales captain Ieuan Evans believes there must be something more to Ruddock's departure than is yet known.

"Its strange and it's baffling that it is now," Evans said last night. "We are not quite sure of the reasons behind it. Was anyone unhappy? Was he unhappy? Was the union unhappy about something that has happened?

"We are not sure about the issues behind this and obviously there are issues behind this."