SO MUCH FOR HOWLEY TO CONSIDER AHEAD OF NEXT STEP
ROB Howley’s suspension from rugby after admitting breaches of the sport’s rules on betting ends on June 16.
Warren Gatland’s old Wales number two wants to find a new job as quickly as possible, but what are the options likely to be available to him?
Ex-Wales captain Howley has had a couple of stints in caretaker charge of Wales.
He delivered the Six Nations title in 2013 as his side humiliated Grand Slam-chasing England by a record 30-3 in one of the greatest performances in Welsh history.
But it didn’t go so well for Howley the last time he was in charge, with Wales finishing second from bottom in the 2017 title race.
It was their worst showing during the reign of Gatland.
Nevertheless Howley, who was Lions backs coach three times – against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand – has plenty of credit in the rugby bank, much of it outside Wales.
We examine job options which may be on the table, or could appeal to Howley upon his return to the game.
Howley was nailed-on for the Azzurri post after it was announced he would not be seeking to succeed Gatland as Wales boss.
But along came the betting scandal and suddenly the picture changed with South Africa international Franco Smith, who had a stint playing for Newport, being appointed on an interim basis.
Coincidentally, on Saturday he was upgraded to being permanent coach.
That suggests the Italian Federation are happy with his work, so any deal with Howley is off. But if it doesn’t work with Smith, Italy could come back in.
Howley is a firm favourite of supporters and bigwigs of the English Premiership giants, for his deeds as a player when Gatland was coach.
On-field catalyst Howley was integral to Wasps lifting the Heineken Cup and taking domestic honours as they became the northern hemisphere’s dominant force.
Howley has revealed Wasps owner Derek Richardson spoke to him just before Christmas about working with then director of rugby Dai Young.
But Young has since left the Coventry-based club and been replaced by his former assistant Lee Blackett.
Former backs coach Blackett has taken up the position of head coach with ex-Great Britain rugby league star Martin Gleeson currently assistant attack coach.
Blackett has unveiled two new additions to his coaching set-up for next season but neither of them will work with the backs.
So it’s not inconceivable Howley, if he forsakes his previously stated ambition to prove himself as a head coach at club level, could head for the friendship of Wasps if Blackett wants an extra pair of hands.
The Cherry and Whites hope to be able to confirm their new head coach in the next few weeks following the departure of Johan Ackermann to Japanese side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
Gloucester have drawn up a shortlist of five candidates to replace the South African with Howley believed to be one of the persons of interest. The others are thought to be Dai Young, former England coach Stuart Lancaster, Edinburgh boss Richard Cockerill and internal candidate Rory Teague, who has support from influential players at Kingsholm,
“We will be talking to our shortlist over the coming weeks, and plan to make an announcement in early July,” said Gloucester chief executive Lance Bradley.
It’s one of the most attractive roles in English club rugby and may appeal to Howley as it would enable him to fulfil his dream of having a chance to prove he is head coach material. He could a l s o com - m u t e from his home near Bridgend.
The Ospreys are the only Welsh region with a vacancy, with new head coach Toby Booth – who has previously held high-profile positions with London Irish, Bath and Harlequins – yet to name a backs guru.
Current attack orchestrator Matt Sherratt is joining Gallagher Premiership side Worcester Warriors after just two seasons at the Liberty Stadium.