Wales assistant Howley hails loyalty of head coach Gatland

Howley hopes he and Gatland can bow out on a high after the Six Nations and World Cup are over.

Rob Howley has hailed Warren Gatland’s honesty and loyalty as the Wales head coach prepares for a final Six Nations showdown with England.

The fierce rivals go head to head in Cardiff on Saturday week, with both sides unbeaten after their opening two games.

There is a strong chance that the winner will go on to become Guinness Six Nations champions, potentially with a Grand Slam thrown in.

Howley will join Gatland and Edwards in calling time on a Wales coaching stint that is so far highlighted by three Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams and a World Cup semi-final appearance.

“Warren is tactically astute about the game, he understands the dynamics of the coaching team and he understands about players and trying to get the best out of them,” Wales attack specialist Howley said.

“The loyalty he has shown to all of us in the coaching team has brought the best out of us as well.

Warren Gatland will leave Wales after the World Cup (Steven Paston/PA)

“I have been fortunate to have him as a coach, and I have always said I learnt so much from him as a player when I was at Wasps.

“I was fortunate enough when he asked me to be involved as a coach, and I have continued to learn off him as a coach.

“I think the one thing which he always wants to be is challenged. When you stop allowing coaches and players to be challenging coaches, you stop growing individually as a coach.

Wales have won their first two Six Nations matches ahead of a clash with England (Steven Paston/PA)

While only Edwards, who will return to rugby league as Wigan head coach next year, of the Wales coaching team currently has a confirmed post-World Cup job, Howley is laid-back about his future.

“I am of the viewpoint that what will be, will be,” he added.

“I want to enjoy this year. When you do have discussions, all of a sudden they become headlines, and they become distractions.

“I am purely focused on the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup. I would like to have some time off post-World Cup, and then in 2020 I want to be employed.”

Rob Howley intends to take time off after the World Cup (Paul Harding/PA)

And Howley said: “I’m not one for looking too far back. I am task-orientated, and that means the next game.

“When I’m grey and old – I am grey now! – hopefully I will look back on the last decade with fond memories.

“We have achieved some fantastic success, and it would great for us to go out this year with a superb performance in the Six Nations and success at the World Cup.”