Howley in link with Italian job
ROB Howley has been heavily linked with the Italy head coach job.
The attack coach will call time on his 11 years with Wales this autumn as he departs alongside head coach Warren Gatland, defence coach Shaun Edwards and forwards coach Robin McBryde after the World Cup.
Italian website On Rugby claim the deal is already done for him to replace Conor O’Shea when the Irishman’s contract expires in June
2020, and he could even take over in time for next year’s Six Nations if the Italians flop at the World Cup.
The Western Mail understands that, while the strong links are not being dismissed, no deal has been done at this stage and Howley’s only focus for the next two months is on Wales’ own campaign in Japan. It’s the latest job the 48-year-old has been linked to, with Munster another side to have been interested in his services.
Gatland is due to return to New Zealand after the World Cup, Edwards has been tipped to join France, while McBryde has landed a job with Leinster.
If Howley did get the Italian job immediately after the World Cup he could be returning to face Wales in the opening fixture of next year’s Six Nations.
The report also states that Cheetahs Franco Smith will take the place of Mike Catt as attack coach.
Interestingly, Smith has been heavily linked with the head coach role himself in the past year.
In May, the Cheetahs put out a statement saying they had agreed to release Smith after this year’s Currie Cup so he could coach the Italian national team.
The Italian Rugby Federation denied Smith was being brought in as head coach, with their statement suggesting he would work under O’Shea.
“The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), following the unexpected Free State/Cheetah spress release, clarifies that no recruitment process for the national team head coach position is in place,” read the Italian statement.
“FIR also informs that interviews and negotiations are currently underway with international level coaches in order to integrate and strengthen the national male team coaching party.”
“THESE big red banners you see here, there is something missing on them.” Alun Wyn Jones is sat amongst a small group of journalists at Wales’ training facility as he nods towards a giant poster that hangs on the wall at the far end of the room.
On the banner is a roll of honours and past glories – Six Nations Championships, Grand Slams and Triple Crowns. They’re all there.
The absent trophy that Wales’ captain is referring to is the one he will attempt to guide his country to over the next seven weeks – the Webb Ellis Cup.
“Yes, of course I have,” he responds when asked if he’s dared to dream.
“I dreamed to play for Wales and if you do that you want to win a Grand Slam.
“You win a Grand Slam, what’s the next best thing? I have not won a Champions Cup; I have not won a World Cup.
“Do I think about these things daily? Not far off.”
A revealing insight into the mind of the competitive beast that is the indomitable 33-year-old lock.
Jones, the most experienced player in Warren Gatland’s current crop by some margin, is today jetting off to his fourth Rugby World Cup.
His remarkable career has seen him take in every global gathering since Wales were disastrously dumped out of the 2007 edition by a Fiji outfight they really ought to have beaten.
“I have got a bit of a Smorgasbord really,” he laughs, “in 2007, it was not the greatest going out in the pool stages.
“In 2011 we got to a semi-final and on another night we get to the final and what happened will go down in the annals.
“In that tournament if we had beaten South Africa in the pool stag
es we could have put ourselves in a better position.
“In 2015 everybody talks about us beating England, but we go onto facing Australia and them being down to 13 men and we don’t capitalise.
“You remember all these things and moments and I have had a bit of everything with my experiences.
“They are not completed though. The experience I have is more important for the squad than me.
“I will deal with myself first, but then if anybody feels as if they need anything I am there.”
The captain is the first name on the teamsheet, such is his importance to the team. Not only is he always among the top carriers and defenders, the psychological boost that his very presence brings to the dressing room is invaluable.
Despite his shoo-in status, Jones remains grounded.
“If I was watching the squad selection thinking I am OK, I don’t have to worry, it is probably time for me to move on,” he insists.
“Whether it is Six Nations, summer tour or autumn, you always have the trepidation and if I didn’t it is a signal I am in the wrong state of mind.
“Complacency is a dangerous thing.”
Jones is keen to move the conversation away from talk of him captaining his country at a World Cup for the first time or chat about the fact he will become Wales’ most-capped player in Japan – he currently sits just one behind leader Gethin Jenkins.
“It is easy to get romantic with it and take your eyes off the prize,” he points out in typical fashion.
So, what does he make of the squad he will captain, that appears to be the perfect blend of youth and experience?
Despite the recent historic 14-game winning run, he is reluctant to eulogise.
He begins: “I have been asked about previous World Cup squads and was this the best one?
“The jury is still out on that, but when you look at balance and age and experience, you have a lot of younger guys with a lot of experience with 20 or 30 or more caps which is massive.
“Then there are some guys who have featured in the last 12 to 18 months and someone like Rhys Carre, who has come in fresh off the production line.
“Whether it is the best I don’t know and the jury will be out until we see the results.
“But from a balance point of view and age profiles along with performances, it is an exciting squad with a lot of potential.
“If we can continue to fulfil that potential which we have shown in recent periods, then it is going to be a positive.”
The 2019 instalment of rugby’s showpiece event is arguably the most open in history.
The world No.1 ranking has changed hands countless times in recent weeks and things are finely balanced among the top five sides in the world, with Wales dropping from second to fifth after defeat to Ireland last weekend.
With so many teams capable of winning and pressure on referees increasing, Jones did have one warning for his side before they travel to the Land of the Rising Sun.
“If you are getting into rugby or watching as a neutral it is mouthwatering,” he said.
“To have such a potentially open World Cup in such an exciting country, which is going to put on a hell of show by all accounts, it is going to be great for the game.
“I just fear that potentially this summer the way decisions have gone on the field with certain things, it is becoming increasingly difficult for referees.
“I hope that does not overshadow the rugby and that sort of stuff. They seem to have got their act in order which seems to bode well for the competition.”
He added: “No, we haven’t (discussed red cards as a squad) but it I feel it is worth mentioning because it is potentially going to be such an open tournament and you would not want that to be a talking point.
“You want rugby, the competition and Japan to be the talking points and nothing else.
“I am not trying to set the cat among the pigeons in that regard, but I think that should be the focus.” And now there is little left to say. Wales touch down in Tokyo tomorrow knowing they are fullyprepared and well-equipped to do something special in Japan.
The burning desire within their skipper is there for all to see when he pulls on that red jersey.
He knows this will be his final chance to hold that golden trophy aloft.
A nation will hope that nothing prevents him from doing so.