View source for Rob Howley

{{Short description|Former Welsh rugby union player/current coach}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name        = Rob Howley
| image       = Robert Howley Wales Grand Slam Celebration, Senedd 19 March 2012.jpg
| caption     = Howley at the Wales Grand Slam Celebration on March 19, 2012
| birth_name  = Robert Howley
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1970|10|13|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Bridgend]], [[Wales]]
| height      = {{convert|1.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight      = {{convert|83|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| school      = [[Brynteg Comprehensive School]]
| university  = University College of Swansea
| relatives   = 
| ru_position = [[Scrum-half (rugby union)|Scrum-half]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears  = 
| youthclubs  = 
| years1      = 1990–1993
| years2      = 1993
| years3      = 1994–1996
| years4      = 1996–2002
| years5      = 2002–2004
| clubs1      = [[Bridgend RFC|Bridgend]]
| clubs2      = [[Cardiff RFC|Cardiff]]
| clubs3      = [[Bridgend RFC|Bridgend]]
| clubs4      = [[Cardiff RFC|Cardiff]]
| clubs5      = [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]]
| apps1       = 40
| apps2       = 6
| apps3       = 46
| apps4       = 120
| apps5       = 59
| points1     = 72
| points2     = 0
| points3     = 42
| points4     = 210
| points5     = 45
| repteam1    = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]
| repteam2    = [[British & Irish Lions]]
| repyears1   = 1996-2002
| repyears2   =  [[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]], [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]]
| repcaps1    = 59
| repcaps2    = 2
| reppoints1  = 50
| reppoints2  = 0
| coachyears1 = 2004
| coachyears2 = 2005–2008
| coachyears3 = 2008–19
| coachyears4 = [[2009 British Lions tour to South Africa|2009]], [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]], [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2017]]
| coachyears5 = 2012–13
| coachyears6 = 2016–17
| coachteams1 = [[Barbarians F.C.|Barbarians]] ''(assistant)''
| coachteams2 = [[Cardiff Blues]] ''(assistant)''
| coachteams3 = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] ''(assistant)''
| coachteams4 = [[British & Irish Lions]] ''(assistant)''
| coachteams5 = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] ''(caretaker)''
| coachteams6 = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] ''(caretaker)'' 
}}
'''Robert Howley''' (born 13 October 1970) is a Welsh [[rugby union]] coach and former player. As a player, he won 59 caps for [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]], 22 of them as captain. He was part of the Wales coaching staff from 2008 to 2019. He is Currently Attack Coach for Welsh Rugby Team for the Six Nations 

He is currently a coaching consultant for the [[Toronto Arrows]] in [[Major League Rugby]] (MLR).

==Playing career==
===Club===
Howley played for [[Bridgend RFC|Bridgend]], [[Cardiff RFC|Cardiff]] and [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]]. He gained the distinction of Welsh Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

He helped Wasps win back-to-back [[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]] titles in 2003 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/2947768.stm |title=Wasps romp to title |publisher=BBC|date=31 May 2003 |access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/3754577.stm |title=Wasps 10-6 Bath |publisher=BBC|date=29 May 2004 |access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref> He also helped Wasps win the Heineken Cup in 2004; his late try in the final won them the game against Toulouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/3733109.stm |title=Wasps 27-20 Toulouse |publisher=BBC|date=23 May 2004 |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref> A wrist injury saw Howley announce his retirement from the game in 2004.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

===International===
Howley represented Wales at Schools, Students, U21, A and B levels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wru.wales/staff/rob-howley/|title = Rob Howley}}</ref>

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 [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]]' [[Joost van der Westhuizen]], but Howley suffered a tour-ending shoulder injury in a match against [[Sharks (Currie Cup)|Natal]] prior to the start of the test series. Howley made the [[2001 British & 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.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

==Coaching career==
Following his retirement from playing, Howley coached Cardiff RFC.

In 2008, he was named as the attack coach as part of [[Warren Gatland]]'s [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7188763.stm |title=Howley eager for Wales challenge |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=15 January 2008 |access-date=13 March 2008}}</ref> Over the next 12 years, the national side won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and reached the [[Rugby World Cup]] semi-finals in [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]] and the quarter-finals in [[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015]].

He was attack coach during [[2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa]] under head coach [[Ian McGeechan]], and retained the role under Warren Gatland in the [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]], helping the Lions secure their first series win since 1997.

===Wales caretaker coach===

====2012–2013====
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/17681716 |title=BBC Sport - Wales coach Warren Gatland suffers double heel injury |publisher=BBC |date=11 April 2012|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Warren Gatland was unable to lead Wales on their [[2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia|2012 tour to Australia]] because of his injury, and Rob Howley took charge as caretaker coach during the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/04/19/warren-gatland-ruled-out-of-leading-wales-on-australia-tour-91466-30794782/ |title=Warren Gatland devastated to be ruled out of Wales' Australia tour |publisher=WalesOnline |date=27 April 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Rob Howley continued his caretaker role in the [[2012 end-of-year rugby union tests|2012 Autumn Internationals]] as Gatland was selected as head coach of the [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Ian Robertson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/19470974 |title=Warren Gatland named coach for Australia series |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> However, Howley would only coach Wales in the opening 2 matches; [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] and [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]], and that Gatland would return to coach the side against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] and [[Australia national rugby union team|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 Howley continued his role through the 2013 tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/19477768 |title=BBC Sport - Lions 2012: Rob Howley appointed Wales caretaker coach |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2012|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

As Wales coach, Howley faced much criticism. Wales beat the [[Barbarians F.C.|Barbarians]] 30–21 in his opening match as caretaker, but after that, Wales suffered eight consecutive defeats, six of which were under Howley. This included a 3–0 series defeat against Australia during their 2012 tour, a series whitewash in the 2012 Autumn internationals and a loss in the opening round of the 2013 Six Nations against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]. The last five defeats were all at home, setting a new Wales record for consecutive home defeats. The streak was broken in round 2 of the Six Nations with a 16–6 win over [[France national rugby union team|France]]. 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 won back-to-back championships since 1979.

====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 & Irish Lions for their [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2017 tour to New Zealand]]. Howley took charge of Wales effective immediately,<ref>[http://www.wru.wales/eng/news/37135.php#.V-kkyPkrLIU HOWLEY NAMED WALES HEAD COACH]</ref> coaching Wales in all [[2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2016 Autumn internationals]], which saw Wales win 3 from 4. He also coached the side during the [[2017 Six Nations Championship]], and assisted the British & Irish Lions during their 2017 Summer tour.

===2019 suspension===

On 17 September 2019 Rob Howley was sent home from Wales' [[2019 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup]] training camp in Japan for a breach of sports betting rules.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49733089|title = Wales coach Howley sent home from Japan|work = BBC Sport}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50629124|title = Howley banned for betting breach|work = BBC Sport}}</ref> Howley linked his betting to his sister's depression, alcoholism and early death.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/rob-howley-deserves-a-second-chance-i-definitely-rushed-to-judgment-qhrmf5hpt|title = Rob Howley deserves a second chance – I definitely rushed to judgment|last1 = Slot|first1 = Owen}}</ref>

===Results===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Date
!Venue
!Home
!Score
!Away
!Notes
|-
!colspan=6|2012
|-
| 2 June
| [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 30–21
| [[Barbarians F.C.|Barbarians]]
| 
|-
| 9 June
| [[Lang Park|Suncorp Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
|rowspan=3| {{ru-rt|AUS}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 27–19
|rowspan=3| {{ru|WAL}}
|rowspan=3| [[2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia|2012 Welsh tour to Australia]]
|-
| 16 June
| [[Docklands Stadium|Etihad Stadium]], [[Melbourne]]
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 25–23
|-
| 23 June
| [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]], [[Sydney]]
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 20–19
|-
| 10 November
| [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 12–26
| {{ru|ARG}}
| rowspan=2| [[2012 end-of-year rugby union tests]]
|-
| 16 November
| [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 19–26
| {{ru|SAM}}
|-
!colspan=6|2013
|-
| 2 February
| [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 22–30
| {{ru|IRE}}
|rowspan=5| [[2013 Six Nations]]
|-
| 9 February
| [[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
| {{ru-rt|FRA}}
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 6–16
| {{ru|WAL}}
|-
| 23 February
| [[Stadio Olimpico]], [[Rome]]
| {{ru-rt|ITA}}
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 9–26
| {{ru|WAL}}
|-
| 9 March
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| {{ru-rt|SCO}}
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 18–28
| {{ru|WAL}}
|-
| 16 March
| [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 30–3
| {{ru|ENG}}
|-
!colspan=6|2016
|-
| 5 November
| [[Principality Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|rowspan=4| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 8–32
| {{ru|AUS}}
| rowspan=4| [[2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals]]
|-
| 12 November
| [[Principality Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 24–20
| {{ru|ARG}}
|-
| 19 November
| [[Principality Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 33–30
| {{ru|JPN}}
|-
| 26 November
| [[Principality Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 27–13
| {{ru|RSA}}
|-
!colspan=6|2017
|-
| 5 February
| [[Stadio Olimpico]], [[Rome]]
| {{ru-rt|ITA}}
|bgcolor=CCFFCC|7–33
| {{ru|WAL}}
| rowspan=5| [[2017 Six Nations Championship|2017 Six Nations]]
|-
| 11 February
| [[Principality Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 16-21
| {{ru|ENG}}
|-
| 25 February
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| {{ru-rt|SCO}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 29-13
| {{ru|WAL}}
|-
| 10 March
| [[Principality Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| {{ru-rt|WAL}}
|bgcolor=#CCFFCC| 22-9 
| {{ru|IRE}}
|-
| 18 March
| [[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]
| {{ru-rt|FRA}}
|bgcolor=#FFCCCC| 20–18
| {{ru|WAL}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.wasps.co.uk/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=18&squadno=2605&season=04/05&seasonl=2004/2005&Playertype=P Wasps profile]
*[http://statistics.scrum.com/rugby_stats_05.asp?ID=WHO16 Scrum.com player statistics]
* [http://www.planet-rugby.com/stats/players/players_listing.phtml/p_r/ENG?setCode=archive&search_text=Rob+Howley&tournament_code=international&country=&scdate=1871&ecdate=2004&position=&sbdate=1871&ebdate=2004&go=Submit Planet-rugby stats]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=1956 Sporting heroes 1] [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=1957 2] [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=560 3] [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=561 4]

{{Wales 1999 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1997}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2001}}
{{Barbarian F.C. captains for international games}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howley, Rob}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Bridgend RFC players]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Wales]]
[[Category:Barbarian F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cardiff RFC players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Ysgol Brynteg]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Bridgend]]
[[Category:Rugby union scrum-halves]]
[[Category:Wales international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Wales national rugby union team coaches]]
[[Category:Wales rugby union captains]]
[[Category:Wasps RFC players]]
[[Category:Welsh rugby union coaches]]
[[Category:Welsh rugby union players]]
[[Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players]]