And Ruddock, who only made seven GUINNESS PRO12 appearances last season, is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
"You are far happier when you are playing. It goes without saying," said Ruddock. "Nobody could have seen the bad luck I went through last season but no stone was left unturned by the Leinster medics but it's all behind me now.
"I've yet to see what benefit you get from beating yourself up over something. Of course it's a setback but I would prefer to focus on the opportunity and certainly I'm excited.
"You never know what's around the corner but I feel great, the arm feels good."
Last season Leinster finished a disappointing fifth in the GUINNESS PRO12 table and Ruddock admits it was tough to take.
"Our PRO12 form was patchy but we were gathering pace in the Champions Cup and you could see the season ahead of you really taking off," he added. "But then just before Christmas I injured my arm against Harlequins.
"I managed to get back for a few PRO12 games but obviously then I did it again on the Emerging Ireland tour in the summer and that was that."
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