Editing Rob Howley (section)

====2012–2013====
In April 2012, Howley temporarily covered the day-to-day running of the coaching team, after Warren Gatland suffered two broken heels while on holiday in [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17681716 |title=BBC Sport - Wales coach Warren Gatland suffers double heel injury |publisher=BBC |date=11 April 2012|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Warren Gatland was unable to lead Wales on their [[2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia|2012 tour to Australia]] because of his injury, and Rob Howley took charge as caretaker coach during the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/04/19/warren-gatland-ruled-out-of-leading-wales-on-australia-tour-91466-30794782/ |title=Warren Gatland devastated to be ruled out of Wales' Australia tour |publisher=WalesOnline |date=27 April 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> Rob Howley continued his caretaker role in the [[2012 end-of-year rugby union tests|2012 Autumn Internationals]] as Gatland was selected as head coach of the [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Ian Robertson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19470974 |title=Warren Gatland named coach for Australia series |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> However, Howley would only coach Wales in the opening 2 matches; [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] and [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]], and that Gatland would return to coach the side against [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] and [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] in week 3 and 4. Due to Gatland's role as head coach of the Lions, he was unable to coach Wales in the [[2013 Six Nations]], therefore Howley continued his role through the 2013 tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19477768 |title=BBC Sport - Lions 2012: Rob Howley appointed Wales caretaker coach |publisher=BBC |date=4 September 2012|access-date=9 March 2013}}</ref>

As Wales coach, Howley faced much criticism. Wales beat the [[Barbarians F.C.|Barbarians]] 30–21 in his opening match as caretaker, but after that, Wales suffered eight consecutive defeats, six of which were under Howley. This included a 3–0 series defeat against Australia during their 2012 tour, a series whitewash in the 2012 Autumn internationals and a loss in the opening round of the 2013 Six Nations against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]]. The last five defeats were all at home, setting a new Wales record for consecutive home defeats. The streak was broken in round 2 of the Six Nations with a 16–6 win over [[France national rugby union team|France]]. Howley led Wales to a Championship win in the 2013 Six Nations after beating England by a record winning margin, 30–3 at the Millennium Stadium. This was Wales' fourth Championship win since it became the Six Nations in 2000, and the first time Wales won back-to-back championships since 1979.