Romania coach Lynn Howells signs new two-year contract
Monday 5 October 2015 18:18, UK
Lynn Howells has signed a new two-year deal to stay on as coach of the Romania national team.
The Welshman, who has coached clubs in Wales, Italy, and England, took charge of Romania after the last World Cup in 2011, and his contract was set to expire after this tournament.
"I've already signed for another two years. It's something that's been done in the last couple of days," said Howells ahead of Tuesday's Pool D match against Canada.
"I'm pleased for myself, but I'm also pleased to take the Romanian team to the next level, which will be exciting."
Howells, who assisted Wales coach Graham Henry at the 1999 Cup, hopes to qualify Romania automatically for the 2019 Cup in Japan by finishing third in Pool D behind France and Ireland.
Despite losing to France (38-11) and Ireland (44-10), Romania can guarantee third spot by beating Canada at Leicester's City Stadium, and winning the final pool game against injury-hit Italy next weekend.
"If we get the two results, it means we go to 2019," he added. "It gives you four years to progress and develop the team, and it will be a huge thing to do that."
Howells, however, does not plan to be head coach at the next World Cup. He would rather be helping his successor in an advisory role.
"That's part of the legacy I want to leave," he said. "If I can revert back to technical advisor, that's the way I would like that to go. Then it's probably the best way to finish."
