Six Nations rugby: Howley set for milestone appearance

Rob Howley, who will become Wales’ most capped scrum-half when he steps out against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, has seen many changes in the game, not to mention his country’s line-up, since scoring a try on his Test debut against England at Twickenham in 1996.

And the fact Wales have made seven changes and cast him as the old head in a relatively inexperienced back division, could make his 55th appearance for his country one of his most challenging.

As always the 31-year-old Cardiff player, who overtakes Robert Jones for his personal milestone, is as enthusiastic as ever as he embarks on his seventh Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship.

‘‘The Six Nations is a great tournament, like no other for the pressure, but it still excites me,’’ he said.

The pressure will certainly be on Howley to guide the new-look Wales backs, with Bridgend’s Craig Morgan making his international debut on the left wing and Cardiff team-mate Iestyn Harris being asked to transfer the undoubted talent he brought from rugby league to the white-hot cauldron of the Six Nations.

‘‘This is a challenging and exciting time for Wales with the transition of new players coming through,’’ said Howley.

The big transformation in his rugby lifestyle came with the advent of the professional era and he said wistfully: ‘‘I have played my rugby both amateur and professional and I would like to be 20 at the moment going into the game.

‘‘It has changed totally, the social side of being a rugby player is no longer in existence. It’s a job. You have to be careful how you conduct yourself not only on the field but off it too. You have a responsibility.’’

Improved standards of fitness, preparation and dedication have, he acknowledges, raised standards, weight of expectation and the pressure.

And there are few places where the responsibility will be more needed and the pressure more intense than Lansdowne Road on Sunday afternoon against the full might of a fiery and resurgent Irish team, who humiliated Wales 36-6 at the Millennium Stadium earlier this season in a match held over from the previous campaign as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Overturning a setback like that is a huge challenge to a side who have seen major changes over the past couple of years because of injuries, retirements and other factors which have deprived Wales of a wealth of experience.

‘‘When you lose players of the calibre of Scott Gibbs, Dai Young, Neil Jenkins and others, it’s difficult to replace them,’’ said Howley.

‘‘They have been sorely missed but it’s a great chance for the new players and it’s important for this squad that we go to Ireland with no preconceived ideas and play the way we want to play.

‘‘No doubt, it’s going to be tough. You only have to look at the Irish set-up with Munster and Leinster to see the quality they have. We are up against it. They beat us by a record amount last time and it’s a big ask for this squad. The mental desire has to come to the fore on Sunday.

‘‘Lansdowne Road is like no other venue in the northern hemisphere. More than anywhere else the first 20 minutes seems to be very frenetic. The wind off the North Sea always seems to produce difficult conditions to play in and that’s just another element to contend with.’’

Howley, who eclipsed opposite number George Gregan as Wales flattered in the first half only to deceive as they lost 21-13 against world champions Australia in November, pinpointed indiscipline as the key to that defeat.

‘‘That game was a disappointment because I felt there was no better opportunity to beat them. But we paid for the penalties we gave away.’’

A repeat could be costly.

‘‘In David Humphreys, Ireland have an exceptional kicker and we must not give unnecessary penalties away. We’ve talked a lot about self-discipline and know we must not give the referee any cause for concern,’’ said Howley.

But he is optimistic.

‘‘There is a new desire in the side. If we come out of the Ireland match well we are lucky enough to have three home games, and I would back our boys against anyone at the Millennium Stadium.

‘‘We would like to go into the French game with one win under our belts and who knows?’’ he added.