Howells heads for Italy

By Dai
June 29 2004

Lynn Howells, coach of the Warriors team axed by the WRU has accepted an offer to become head coach of Italian club Leonessa in a 2 year deal.

Howells, along with all the other staff at the Warriors have had a difficult time recently in securing their futures after being told by the Welsh Rugby Union that the Warriors were to be disbanded with immediate effect.

Howells has previosuly had stints coaching club sides Pontypridd and Cardiff before taking on the head coaching job at the Warriors and he has also been caretaker coach of Wales and was assistant to Graham Henry when the national team went on a run of good form in 1999.

It is understood that he has become frustrated with Welsh rugby after being told that he would lose his job with immediate effect and would not be paid from May onwards. He has also been angered by the way that rugby union has been torn away from the Valleys and so has decided to take on this new challenge in a new environment.

It will be a difficult task to take on such a job in a new coutry as it will involve learning a new language and understanding the different culture in Italy but Howells feels that this is a more secure job than one he had been offered by the Cardiff Blues where he would been overseeing their attempt to exapnd their region into the Valleys.

Best of luck in Italy Lynn

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Another former Warrior, Mefin Davies may also be receiving some good news in the next few days as it is rumoured that he has been offered a deal by French club Stade Francais. Davies went on Wales' summer tour as first choice hooker but has had difficulty in getting a contract secured for next season as many clubs and regions are unwilling to take on a player at a late stage in their career.

Hopefully Mef will be able to secure a deal which will allow him to continue playing rugby. Lets hope the remaining Warriors players who are yet to find deals will secure their futures soon.