Shane Howarth joins Wasps coaching team (From South Wales Argus)

Shane Howarth joins Wasps coaching team

7:34pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in National Rugby

WASPS have announced the appointment of former Wales full-back Shane Howarth as their new backs coach.

Howarth won 19 caps for Wales, while he also represented the All Blacks, New Zealand Maori, Auckland, Sale and Newport during a lengthy playing career.

He retired in 2003 and headed back to New Zealand, where he filled coaching roles with the likes of Auckland in the National Provincial Championship, Auckland Blues as an assistant, and also the Maori.

Howarth will link up with the Wasps squad next month, taking over from Paul Turner, whose one-year consultancy contract with the Aviva Premiership club ended recently.

"I have followed Shane's coaching career since I played with him for Wales, and he comes strongly recommended from the likes of (former All Blacks and Wales coach) Graham Henry,’’ Wasps rugby director David Young said.

"We have a similar philosophy on the game, and I think we will hugely benefit from his intimate knowledge of both the northern and southern hemisphere.’’