Wales travel to Dublin to face Ireland this Sunday as they look to build on an impressive World Cup campaign that saw them reach the semi-final stages for the first time in 24 years.
Fly-half Rhys Priestland remains a doubt for the Aviva Stadium encounter but Howley knows there are plenty of other options when it comes to kicking for goal.
Fellow fly-halves James Hook and Stephen Jones an abundance of international experience with the boot, while back three star Leigh Halfpenny has been making a name for himself from the tee this term.
Halfpenny has kicked ahead of Scotland’s metronomic striker Dan Parks at the Blues in recent months and is fast developing into far more than just a long-distance goal kicker.
With regular action breeding consistency in Halfpenny’s kicking game, and with Hook experiencing a similar scenario in Perpignan, Howley is delighted with the choices Wales will have when it comes to slotting the ball between the sticks.
“You need to have choice and strength in depth in your goal-kicking, short distance and long distance. Kicking decides international games,” said Howley.
“It’s good to have Hooky, Steve Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Priestland in the squad. That’s the strength in depth and options that we have, long or short.
“It’s fair to say Leigh’s long-distance kicking has been exceptional.
“It’s a different pressure, kicking from 50 or 60 metres, as kicking from closer is a far greater test of character, skill and mindset, but it’s great to see that Leigh has set the standard.
“He’s certainly kept the Blues in a couple of regional games and Heineken Cup games since coming back from the World Cup.
“We talked to Leigh post-Rugby World Cup and it’s been shown in regional rugby this year that if you have one or two goal-kickers you might win games.
“Kicking was an area everyone has highlighted since the World Cup and it’s going to be important in the Six Nations – it always is.”
