Robert Howley is a Welsh rugby union former player and coach. As a player he gained 59 caps for Wales, 22 of them as captain. He was part of the Wales coaching team for many years.
Playing career
Club
Howley played for Bridgend, Cardiff and Wasps. He gained the distinction of WelshPlayer of the Year in 1996 and 1997. He helped Wasps win two Premiership titles in 2003 and 2004. He also helped Wasps win the Heineken Cup in 2004, in the final of which his late try won them the game against Toulouse. A wrist injury saw Howley announce his retirement from the game in 2004.
International
Howley represented Wales at Welsh Schools, Wales U21 levels, Wales Students, Wales A and Wales B levels. He made his senior Wales debut in February 1996. He was selected for the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa, prompting speculation of a match-up with the Springboks' Joost van der Westhuizen, but Howley was injured. Howley made the 2001 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia and played in the first two tests before succumbing to injury. He retired from international rugby when he joined Wasps.
In April 2012, Howley temporarily covered the day-to-day running of the coaching team, after Warren Gatland suffered two broken heels while on holiday in New Zealand. Warren Gatland was unable to lead Wales on their 2012 tour to Australia because of his injury, and Rob Howley took charge as caretaker coach during the tour. Rob Howley continued his caretaker role in the 2012 Autumn Internationals as Gatland was selected as head coach of the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. However, Howley would only coach Wales in the opening 2 matches; Argentina and Samoa, and that Gatland would return to coach the side against New Zealand and Australia in week 3 and 4. Due to Gatland's role as head coach of the Lions, he was unable to coach Wales in the 2013 Six Nations, therefore Howely continued his role through the 2013 tournament. While coaching the Welsh side from June 2012 to March 2013, Rob Howley faced much criticism. His opening match as caretaker coach against the Barbarians was won by Wales 30–21. After that win Wales suffered 8 consecutive defeats, 6 of which were under the management of Howley. This included a 3–0 series defeat against Australia during their 2012 tour to Australia, a series white-wash in the 2012 Autumn Internationals and a loss in the opening round of the 2013 Six Nations against Ireland. The last 5 defeats was a record run of 5 home defeats. The streak was broken in round 2 of the Six Nations after beating France 6–16. Rob Howley led Wales to a Championship win in the 2013 Six Nations after beating England by a record winning margin, 30–3 at the Millennium Stadium. This was Wales fourth Championship win since it became the Six Nations in 2000, and the first time Wales has won back to back championship wins since their 1978/1979 championship wins.
2016–2017
On 7 September 2016, Howley was once again given the head coaching duties for the Welsh national side after Gatland retained his head coaching role of the British and Irish Lions for their 2017 tour to New Zealand. Howley took charge of Wales effective immediately, coaching Wales in all 2016 Autumn internationals, which saw Wales win 3 from 4. He will also coach the side during the 2017 Six Nations Championship, and pending appointment to the British and Irish Lions at the same time, he will also coach Wales during their 2017 Summer tour.
2019 suspension
On 17 September 2019 Rob Howley was sent home from Wales' Rugby World Cuptraining camp in Japan for a breach of sports betting rules. He was later banned for 18 months with nine suspended after being found guilty of placing 363 bets on rugby union, covering 1,163 matches in total. Howley linked his betting to his sister's depression, alcoholism and early death.
