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Wales attack coach Rob Howley’s future could lie in Ireland – according to reports.
Irish website The42.ie are reporting that the former British and Irish Lions coach and interim Wales headcoach has met with Munster with a view to taking over the reigns of the province attack coaching.
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The former scrum-half Howley was reported to be on the shortlist to succeed Gatland when the New Zealander’s tenure comes to an end after the World Cup in Japan, but ruled himself out of staying on with the set-up; and has said a return to club rugby was his preference.
31-year-old former Munster player Felix Jones is the current backline and attack coach at Limerick based outfit. Jones is in his coaching infancy, having been forced to retire due to concussion in 2015 before returning in 2016 to fill the role.
Howley on the other hand offers years of international experience in attack.
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The 48-year-old won 59 caps for Wales, scoring 10 tries. He captained his country to 15 wins in 22 matches, including a run of 10 successive victories in 1999.
As a player, he was part of two British & Irish Lions tours, in 1997 to South Africa – where he suffered a shoulder injury and missed the Tests – and 2001 to Australia. He was one of the tour captains down under and played in the first two Tests before sustaining a broken rib, which ruled him out of the series decider.
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He played for Bridgend, Cardiff and London Wasps, helping Wasps to win the Heineken Cup, European Challenge Cup and two English Premiership titles.
Howley has been part of the Wales coaching team since January 2008, helping lead Wales to three RBS 6 Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, and the semi-final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He took charge of the national side as interim Head Coach during the 2012 Summer Tour and Autumn Internationals, the successful 2013 RBS 6 Nations and 2016 Autumn Series.
He was attack coach during the 2009 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa under Ian McGeechan, and retained the role under Gatland in the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia, helping the Lions secure their first series win since 1997.
