Robert Howley was born in Bridgend on 13 October 1970 and educated at Brynteg Comprehensive School. He scored 37 tries in 135 games at scrum-half for Bridgend before joining Cardiff in 1996. For the Arms Park club his scoring rate was equally impressive - 42 tries in 126 games. In 2002 he transferred to London Wasps and scored nine tries in 49 games including the match winner in their European Cup Final against Stade Toulousain in 2004. Rob Howley played 59 times for Wales between 1996 and 2002, scored 10 tries, and was captain in 22 internationals, including the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He toured with the British Isles to South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001, playing in a total of eight games, including two tests. He captained the Barbarians against Australia in 2001 and London Irish XV in 2003. After a wrist injury caused his retirement in 2004 he became assistant coach with Cardiff Blues before taking on a similar role with Wales. He was also assistant coach for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 2004.