The non-cap game against a star-studded Barbarians side at Bristols Ashton Gate will be Ruddocks first assignment on May 26 before he takes his side on tour in June.

Ruddock will get his first taste of Test action in Argentina when Wales return to the scene of their stunning series triumph over the Pumas in 1998 with two internationals against the home side on June 12 and 19.

Then Wales move on to South Africa to meet the Springboks in Pretoria on June 26. Ruddock will have to wait until 13 November for his first game in charge at the Millennium Stadium when Romania will be the visitors for the third time in four seasons.

That game will provide the build-up to Ruddock's biggest challenge in his first six months in charge when the All Blacks return to Cardiff with former Wales coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen at the helm on November 20.

The following weekend will see Japan attempt to avenge their 1999 Rugby World Cup defeat by Wales in Cardiff. Wales are still trying to negotiate an extra fixture in the Autumn period, but no date has yet been confirmed.

"Mike Ruddock faces a bit of a baptism by fire at the start of his two year reign as Welsh coach, but he wouldnt have it any other way. There are four fixtures in the six full blown Tests in his first six months against teams who are ranked higher than Wales in the IRB World Rankings," said WRU Chief Executive David Moffett.

"It is vitally important that the Welsh players test themselves against the best in the world and by playing two Tests in Argentina, another in South Africa and facing the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium we believe we are giving them the perfect opportunity to improve."

"We have an incredibly challenging summer tour with two Tests in Argentina and one in South Africa and then the players will have a wonderfully balanced Autumn Series to look forward to at the Millennium Stadium," said Ruddock, who officially takes over on May 1.

"The only way we will improve as a rugby playing nation is if we have regular contact with the top teams in the world and by playing the Pumas twice, the Springboks and the All Blacks ahead of the 2005 RBS 6 Nations Championship we will have every chance of continuing the development that was so apparent under Steve Hansen."