HOWLEY SET FOR CARDIFF SWITCH

Ex-Wales scrum-half Howley, a Heineken Cup winner with Wasps, was forced to hang up his boots last month due to a crippling wrist injury.

Since then he has been targeted by Cardiff boss Young to join new kicking coach Jenkins at the Arms Park. And the deal looks set to be wrapped up before Christmas.

“We are talking and hopefully we will be able to make a positive announcement this month,” confirmed Howley.

That would be a major coup for Cardiff who have struggled in Europe since losing Howley to Wasps two years ago. He could now be back with the Blues for the New Year.

However Howley will first assist Australian World Cup winner Bob Dwyer to coach the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham this Saturday.

“I was humbled when I was asked to coach the Barbarians. I captained them in 2002 under Bob and it is great to be involved in a coaching capacity with such outstanding players,” said Howley. “It’s quite an impressive list of players to have on my first coaching CV.”