Wales’ home record at Principality Stadium stands in excess of 70% in recent years and that is a target Howley, who has taken over the reins of the National Squad for the 2016/17 season, is keen not only to keep intact but build upon.
With Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa heading to Cardiff in November and England and Ireland visiting the Welsh capital when the RBS 6 Nations rolls into town next year, Howley and his troops have six home matches to contend with before the seeding process takes place for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Success in those home matches will go a long way to sorting Wales’ placing for that tournament and Howley is hoping the ‘inspirational’ Principality Stadium and the passionate home support can help drive Wales towards their targets.
“Our aim is pretty simple and that is to look after our home record,” said Howley.
“I’ve looked back over the last few years at our record in Cardiff and it has been about 70%. We want to keep that intact and better it and that is the huge motivation for the players.
“Principality Stadium is the most inspirational stadium in world rugby and we can’t wait to be back there this autumn.
“The stadium inspires the opposition, we know that and we want it to inspire our players even more.
“In the next 10 months we have six homes games and you look a the world rankings and what is at stake for every team in terms of World Cup seedings, success at home would help us on our way to that all important better world ranking.”
