Nickname: Stan – after Stan Laurel
DOB: 13.10.1970
Birthplace: Bridgend
School: Brynteg Comprehensive
Clubs: Bridgend, Cardiff, Bridgend, Cardiff, London Wasps
Height: 5ft 9ins
Weight: 13st 0lbs
Honours: Wales Under 18, Wales Under 20, Wales Under 21, Wales Students, Wales A, Wales & British Lions
Welsh player of the Year: 1996 and 1997
Wales debut: vs England, February 3rd 1996 (scored try)
Last International: vs Scotland, April 6th 2002
Test Record: 59 Wales caps (Won 29, Lost 29, Drawn 1 – 50pts, 10 tries)
Captained Wales to 20 wins in 28 games and skippered the side a record
winning streak of ten games in 1999
Lions: Toured South Africa 1997 (injured)
Toured Australia 2001 (2 tests)
He is the most-capped Wales scrum half
HOWLEY’S FIVE FINEST MOMENTS
1996: The rugby world caught its first real glimpse of Howley at Twickenham in February 1996 as the Bridgend No 9 starred in Wales’ 21-15 defeat to the old enemy. Although ending up on the losing side, 25-year-old Howley shone for his country on his international bow and marked his first cap with a sparkling try from close range.
1997: It was a day when the whole of Wales waved goodbye to the old Cardiff Arms Park and – thanks to Rob Howley – they had a fitting try to remember it by. In one of the few Welsh highlights in a disappointing 34-13 defeat, Howley – now with Cardiff – brought the house down with a fine solo try in the dying moments and ensured the final try at the famous ground went to a Welshman.
1999: Having been made skipper the previous season, Howley led Graham Henry’s side to a string of famous victories in the build up to the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Starting with a historic first win at the Stade de France in March, Howley inspired Wales to further famous wins over Grand Slam chasing England at Wembley and World Champions South Africa at the grand opening of the Millennium Stadium. Wales marched to a record ten games unbeaten with Howley at their helm.
2001: Howley was an automatic pick for the No 9 shirt when the Lions toured South Africa in 1997 but a shoulder injury picked up against Natal meant he would wait four years before pulling on the famous red shirt once more. Regaining his place for the visit to Australia, Howley came out on top in his personal dual with George Gregan for the title of World’s best scrum half as Henry’s Lions stormed to a first test win.
2004: With just seconds remaining before the Heineken Cup final between Howley’s London Wasps and Toulouse entered extra time, it seemed as if the former Cardiff scrum-half was chasing a lost cause when he followed up his own kick as it bobbled towards the dead ball line. But as French full-back Clement Poitrenaud floundered with the ball inches from the try-line, Howley pounced to secure the vital score and Europe’s biggest prize in what would be his final game.
