Elliot Daly benefits from 15-love at first sight
Former All Blacks and Wales full-back Howarth arrived at Adams Park last summer to lead, arguably, the most exciting backs in the Premiership, and his most notable move has been to shift Daly to No.15.
While wing duo Tom Varndell and Christian Wade have both flourished under his tutelage, no one has benefitted more than Daly.
Having come through the ranks at outside centre, earning international age-group honours and helping England U20s to second in the 2011 Junior World Championship, Daly looked set to make the Wasps 13 jersey his own for the next decade.
But, after watching him for the first time in a pre-season friendly, Howarth turned to Dai Young and urged the Wasps director of rugby to try the 20-year-old at full-back.
Daly still appears to be getting to grips with the new position, but he highlighted his talent again recently, showing great pace and footwork to race through a mean Leicester defence before touching down under the posts.
And while Howarth insists Daly could be a world-beater wherever he chooses to play, the former Wales full-back believes the extra space at the back will give him the greatest opportunity to shine.
“Elliot is just an outstanding rugby player,” Howarth said. “The one thing I’ve realised since I’ve started working with these young guys at Wasps is they don’t have egos and are just eager to learn and Elliot definitely falls into this category.
“When I first saw him on a rugby field I thought he had everything to be a great full-back so I asked Dai to let me try him there.
“I know he grew up as a 13 and has an ambition to play there and I have no doubt he could do so to the highest level, but for me he has everything to be a world-class full-back.
“The thing about Elliot is that he has such strengths all over the pitch and he is extremely versatile which is a fantastic attribute to have but at some point he’ll have to select one or the other.
“And the reason I think he should be a full-back is because he’s fantastic both with the ball in his hand and with his kicking.
“That means that if international defences come at him then he has the ability to clear his lines with a big kick into the corner and turn it around on them.
“But if they choose to stand off him then he can pick them off and burst through with his pace as he has the ability to beat almost anyone.
“He has everything in his repertoire to play at the highest level and although I know he has played at 13 all his life, and has his heart set on it, I think he makes a mighty fine full-back.”
While Howarth believes international recognition is not too far away for Daly, winger Wade now looks certain to realise that ambition this summer in Argentina, unless Warren Gatland decides to take a punt on him with the Lions.
Wade has already bettered last season’s tally of 14 tries this season and sits second in the Premiership scoring charts led by Varndell.
During his career with New Zealand and Wales, Howarth has come across some of the world’s great wings and he’s convinced Wade, 21, will soon add his name to that list, with the youngster eager to prove his critics wrong.
“The thing that makes Christian so dangerous is he has pure pace,” Howarth said. “I’ve been fortunate to work with some very good wingers during my time but I am failing to recall anyone as quick, or a light on his feet, as Christian.
“Doug Howlett, Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, guys of that ilk, guys with the X-factor who are blessed with natural ability, guys who impact a game and take it to the next level – Christian has it.
“There have been wingers I’ve worked with that have played international rugby but who aren’t the package Christian is so I believe he’s ready to make that step.
“He works very hard to improve. People question is ability under the high ball so he’s worked very hard on that and people say that he isn’t the biggest guy in the world but the size of his heart makes up for that.
“Yes he needs to work on defensive alignments but show me a winger who doesn’t.
“Whatever colour jersey he throws on this summer, whether it be the white of England or a red one, I’m sure he will shine.”
BEN BAKER
