Howley appointed Wales caretaker head coach

Rob Howley has been appointed as Wales' caretaker head coach for the summer internationals against the Barbarians and Australia to allow Warren Gatland to recuperate fully from injuries suffered in a domestic accident.

Gatland, who led Wales to the 2012 RBS 6 Nations title earlier this year and is the overwhelming favourite to lead the British and Irish Lions in their tour of Australia in the summer of 2013, suffered a foot injury after falling from a ladder at his home in New Zealand and will temporarily hand control of the team to assistant coach Howley.