Former Wales coach Rob Howley has announced the next step in his career
18:00, 28 Aug 2025Updated 18:05, 28 Aug 2025
Former Wales coach Rob Howley(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Former Wales coach Rob Howley has announced he is leaving rugby coaching to start a new chapter.
Howley was removed from his role as Wales assistant following the departure of Warren Gatland during this year’s Six Nations.
It came after he returned to Welsh rugby in 2023 in a full-time WRU role working with the senior team and Wales Under-20s. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
The Wales legend has remained employed by the WRU since interim coach Matt Sherratt’s decision to take him out of the senior set-up, but has now decided to move into a different career in the telecommunications sector.
“After twenty incredible years in rugby coaching, it feels like the right time to move on to new pastures,” Howley wrote in a message online.
“I’ve recently been given an exciting business opportunity with 5G Communications.
Rob Howley during his time with Wales(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
“This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for me and my family. I hope to draw on the many experiences and lessons sport has given me over the last three decades.
“Starting something new always brings its challenges – and I’ve been told this won’t be an easy ride! – but with the support of family and the connections I’ve built over the years, I’m confident it won’t be for lack of effort.”
Howley’s new job is as a regional account manager for 5G Communications – a telecommunications firm who supply support to 6,000 businesses across the country.
A family-run business, 5G got off the ground in 1996.
Howley had been expected to remain in rugby, with the 54-year-old still highly-rated in rugby circles despite Wales’ struggles over the past couple of years.
Howley, of course, was alongside Gatland during Wales’ glory years and won the 2013 Six Nations title as interim head coach – a campaign that ended with arguably Wales’ greatest win over England.
As a player, Howley represented Bridgend, Cardiff and Wasps and he was capped 59 times for Wales and went on two Lions tours in 1997 and 2001.
As a coach, Howley held positions with Cardiff and the Wales national team, while serving alongside Gatland with the Lions.