Rob Howley is tackled by an Italian back during the 2002 Lloyds TSB Six Nations Wales v Italy clash
Rob Howley
Rob Howley became one of the first back room appointments of Warren Gatland in January 2008 when he was appointed as Assistant Coach to Wales. Bridgend born scrum-half Howley gained fifty-nine caps for Wales; he held the captaincy between 1998 and 1999 for twenty-two games. Howley also gained one cap representing the Wales B side. Other numerous honours include representation of Wales at U18, U20 and U21 levels; Wales Students and the Wales A XV.

He gained the distinction of Welsh Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. Howley was part of two British and Irish Lions tours, in 1997 to South Africa and 2001 to Australia.

Howley began his domestic career at Bridgend, later moving to Cardiff. He reverted back to Bridgend, and once more moved to Cardiff before leaving for London Wasps in 2002 on a three year contract. However, a serious wrist injury forced him to cut his career short just months after his last minute try against Toulouse saw him lifting the Heineken Cup with Wasps in 2004 Final at Twickenham.

Howley played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, captaining his country in the process until he left the field injured against Australia in the dying minutes of the quarter-final. Howley also took in two tours with the British & Irish Lions. He was selected for the 1997 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa but suffered a shoulder injury and couldn’t play in the test matches. He played in the first two Tests of the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia before a broken rib ruled him out of the series decider against the Wallabies; a tour in which he was one of the tour captains.

Howley's last game for Wales was against Scotland in April 2002, he then turned his attention to club rugby for the remainder of his playing career. Although injured, Howley did manage a testimonial match against Scott Quinnell, also celebrating his testimonial at the Millennium Stadium in the 2005 Tribute to Rugby's Legends match. Howley led a 'Rest of the World' dream XV against Quinnell's 'Britain & Ireland' which included an unorthodox guest appearance for the 'Rest of the World' at outside half from former Scotland International Football & Glasgow Rangers striker, Ally McCoist; a long time friend of Howley's from BBC's A Question of Sport.

Howley became a member of the Blues coaching team as defence/backs coach in June 2005, replacing Geraint John. Prior to joining the Blues coaching team, Howley assisted Australian World Cup winner Bob Dwyer in coaching the Barbarians squad (to face New Zealand) in December 2004. In addition to his role with Wales, Howley will remain with the Blues until the end of May 2008.