Robert Howley will join the coaching team of Cardiff Blues in time for the 2005-06 season.
The former Cardiff, Wales and British Isles scrum-half, who recently retired from playing after two seasons with London Wasps, has been appointed backs coach and will work with director of rugby David Young while Richard Webster will assist with the coaching of the forwards.
David Young said, It is a big step forward for us to have completed arrangements with Rob and he further strengthens a young and enthusiastic coaching set-up. I believe that Rob and myself, together with Richard Webster, will have the commitment plus the self-support system to help put the Blues back where they should be at the top of the tree in Wales and beyond. Rob will join us at the end of June when the squad reports for pre-season training. It promises to be an exciting time.
Rob Howley said, I am delighted to be on board with Dai and the rest of the back room staff. Coming back to my former club means a lot to me and the coaching role is a natural progression from my playing career. There is no denying that because of my hand injury the change from player to coach has come a year or so sooner than I had planned but, fortunately, I was already preparing for this next stage. I have taken dual coaching badges under the WRU and RFU schemes and being involved with the professional environment at London Wasps has also been an important part of the learning curve. Of course, Ive still got a lot to learn but Ill certainly have the right people around me. Dai and I go back a long way as team-mates for Cardiff, Wales and the Lions and Im sure we can be equally successful working together as coaches.