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Rob Howley has been coaching with Wales since 2008. AP Photo/Rob Griffith
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6 Nations: Rob Howley plots Irish defeat to steady the Welsh ship

The caretaker head coach has endured a shaky start to his tenure in Warren Gatland’s absence.

ROB HOWLEY IS close to frostbite ever since he stepped out of Warren Gatland’s shadow. The Welsh caretaker head coach has endured a testing time ever since he temporarily took over the reins from Lions-focused Warren Gatland.

Wales have gone from World Cup semi-finalists and Grand Slam winners to losers of seven Test matches on the spin. There is enough good will in the bank to ensure Howley will go into the Six Nations campaign with the public backing him.

The grumbles will come, and they will be loud, if Ireland can avenge a contentious defeat at the Millennium Stadium in 2011.

Howley made 59 appearances at scrum-half for Wales and 22 as captain. Ireland were not at their strongest during his seven year’s on the international stage, 1996 to 2002, but he only tasted victory once, as a player, against them.

He has fared better against the Irish, and won many plaudits, since he took on the job as backs coach for the national team in 2008.

Player backing

During his time as assistant to Warren Gatland, Wales won two Grand Slams and reached a World Cup semi-final. Players such as Matthew Rees, Jamie Roberts and George North have spoken glowingly on Howley’s influence on the squad.

When the 41-year-old was promoted to the caretaker role last April, Roberts commented, “He’s a very clever coach and has done wonders with the Welsh backs over the last couple of years.

“I’ve found my game has improved massively under Rob and I’m sure all the backs would agree.”

The management team has placed its trust in a group of players, within the squad, that are in their early to mid 20s.

It served them well at the World Cup and in last year’s Six Nations and, despite a run that has included defeats to Samoa and Argentina, Howley believes the players possess a quiet conviction to match their feats of late 2011 and early 2012.

“We feel as a coaching team that this bunch of players are pretty special,” says Howley. “As a group, we have worked with them over the past two and a half years.” He added:

They are young, very motivated and there are some great qualities in many of the players. There are some good leaders like Sam Warburton, who is a special player and a special captain.

“His combination with Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate [currently injured] in the back row was a vital springboard in Wales’ development.”

Strong finishers

Howley added, “The one thing you would admire about the players is that they keep going. They have huge self-belief and confidence in their ability.

“That really shows when you get to the second-half when they know they can use their fitness in being effective to go on and win games.”

George North, Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts after the beating Ireland at Lansdowne Road. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

This was evident in Wales stunning surge up-field at the Aviva Stadium last February, when they turned around a six point deficit in the final 10 minutes to beat Ireland. They out-scored their remaining opponents in four consecutive second-halves to capture the championship.

Welsh players have made a habit of performing well around the time of Lions tours and travelled in large numbers to New Zealand in 2005 and South Africa in 2009. It is hard not to imagine a sizeable contingent of Welshmen making the long-haul trek to Australia.

Howley, however, does not believe this tour is the time to be making statements ahead of this summer. “The players are really proud to play in the national jersey and represent Wales,” he said. “That comes first and foremost.”

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