Howley Rising To Challenge

Howley may have signed his last contract in professional rugby, but the evergreen scrum-half insists he has just committed himself to his hardest challenge by joining London Wasps.

This is some statement considering Howley won 59 caps for Wales, 22 as captain, and went on the British Lions' tours to South Africa and Australia. Playing much of his club career for mighty Cardiff, where he learned so much of his trade, was no easy ride either. But after just a couple of months in the Zurich Premiership, Howley is nursing enough bruises to convince him that England's top division is no retirement village.

However the 32-year-old, who signed a three-year deal with Wasps in July, is quick to point out that he would not have it any other way. Howley said: 'I feel like I have saved the toughest test till last, but it is exactly what I wanted.

'For the last couple of seasons there was a part of me that had been wondering if I was good enough to play in the Premiership. 'I was very mindful of the fact that the Premiership was a higher level of intensity and quality due to the fact that Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans also played in it.

'It didn't surprise me that from the first game there has been a greater intensity and physicality, but it is bringing the best out in me. "Every week I am playing against guys like Matt Dawson, Austin Healey and Kyran Bracken.

I wasn't tested on such a regular basis as this at international level. 'It is a mouth-watering prospect and that is what keeps me on my toes. I don't want to throw away the pride and respect I have gained in international rugby over the last seven years. 'That's what keeps me going. I don't want to be remembered for ending my career in the Premiership resting on my laurels.'

Anyone who has watched Howley over a highly successful career knows full well that there was never any danger of that happening. He is still widely regarded as the most accomplished scrum-half in the northern hemisphere, but it was still a shock when he finally quit Cardiff, crossed the Severn Bridge and headed up to London.

His decision came just a few months after his equally surprising decision to retire from international rugby, just 18 months before next autumn's World Cup in Australia. When talks broke down over a new contract with Cardiff, there was no shortage of offers for Howley despite his advancing years. But with his wife and two young children in tow, there was only ever likely to be one winner as soon as he knew that Wasps were in the fray.

He added: 'I knew that Leeds and a few other clubs came in for me, but I had decided to join Wasps after speaking to their coach Warren Gatland on the phone.

'It was only for about 15-20 minutes, but it was enough time for him to sell the club to me. It was a massive step for me to leave Wales and one I didn't take lightly. It was important for my family that I joined the right club and Wasps have been brilliant to me.

Fortune has come in the shape of Europe's secondary club competition, the PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP, where Wasps are gearing up for semi-final doubleheader with Pontypridd, a team Howley knows every well.

Winning the PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP would book Wasps a spot in next season's Heineken Cup, but Howley insists that the club's overall priority has to be ensuring automatic qualification via a top-three finish in the league.

'There are not many points between the teams lower down and it would be great if we can get into the top three because it would guarantee us Heineken Cup rugby. 'It is the first year that Wasps have been out of it and our aim for the season is to make sure we are back in it next year.

'It is fair to say that way back in 1995 when European competition first began, the English clubs still counted the league as the most important competition. But that has transformed over the last few years with the sponsorship, television coverage and prestige which clubs get if they do well in Europe.

'I think Wasps deserve to be there with the squad we have got. I was fortunate to play in the competition for six years with Cardiff and I played in four quarter-finals and one semi-final.

'It is a great competition and it is my burning ambition to play in the Heineken Cup with Wasps as well.'

There is no doubt that Howley has the experience and quick-thinking to compete once again in the Heineken, but with the semi-final draw pitching Wasps against last season's PARKER PEN SHIELD runners-up Pontypridd, the veteran will have to be at the top of his game to steer his side to the final.

This article was taken from ERC's official magazine 'Rugby Europe' To read the rest of this article, click here