Wales appoint Rob Howley to take charge in Gatland's absence

ByReuters

Published 07/09/2016 at 15:45 GMT

Rob Howley will take charge of the Wales rugby team for the next year after Warren Gatland was confirmed as the boss of the British and Irish Lions for their tour of New Zealand.

Wales' rugby union team head coach Rob Howley (C) looks before their Six Nations rugby match against Italy at the Olympic stadium in Rome February 23, 2013

Image credit: Reuters

Howley has been promoted with immediate effect after it was confirmed that Wales boss Gatland would relinquish his post for a year to concentrate on the Lions’ tour of his homeland.

It is a similar scenario to 2013 when Gatland took the Lions to Australia and Howley led the Welsh to the Six Nations title, although this time the former Wales captain will be in charge for November's tests as well as next year's tournament.

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"We are delighted to appoint Rob as Head Coach of Wales for the period that Warren is away," WRU chief Martyn Phillips said on Wednesday.

"We considered a range of options domestically and overseas when contingency planning for this eventuality and determined that Rob represents the optimum appointment for Wales.

"Rob's experience and relationship with the regional coaches affords the opportunity for a joined up approach."

Howley has been part of Wales' coaching set-up since 2008.

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