Cardiff Blues: Howley would be a 'brilliant' boss - Williams

Mark Hammett is a former New Zealand hooker

Former Wales flanker Martyn Williams says national attack coach Rob Howley would be a "brilliant" successor to Cardiff Blues boss Mark Hammett.

But ex-Blues star Williams believes former Wales scrum-half Howley would not be tempted as Wales look to the 2015 World Cup.

"Why would he leave the Welsh job at the moment?" said Williams.

Hammett's departure is expected in the coming days with Mike Rayer and Danny Wilson touted as possible replacements.

Blues have won only four of 14 matches in the Pro12 since Hammett's appointment in August and lost 40-24 in Treviso on Friday night.

Williams, who made his name at Pontypridd before moving to the Arms Park, says unhappiness in Blues ranks since New Zealander Hammett's arrival this season has been "probably one of the worst-kept secrets in Welsh rugby".

"There's been no chemistry between the coaching staff and then there's obviously rumblings with the players then," former Lion Williams told Scrum V.

"So there are big issues at the Blues. There have been for probably four or five years.

"It's been a very steady decline and you just need stability there."

Williams believes Blues should follow the example of teams in the Aviva Premiership and appoint a British coach.

He also cited the example of Pro12 leaders Glasgow, who have ex-Scotland and British and Irish Lions star Gregor Townsend at the helm.

"For me, if you look at the Aviva Premiership I think every team has a British coach who knows the culture, who knows what it takes to win in the northern hemisphere.

"Sometimes the answer lies close to home - not sure who that is. I wish I did."

Dale McIntosh and Paul John took temporary charge of Cardiff Blues in March 2014

Williams says of ex-Cardiff and Wales full-back Rayer: "He knows the club and the region inside out and did a fantastic job at Bedford, but I don't know if he'd want the [Blues] job [either].

Former dual-code star Jonathan Davies has described the Welsh team's performance against Treviso as "unacceptable".

BBC pundit Davies said "You have to take responsibility on the field as well, irrespective of what's going on with the board."

Since Dai Young's departure for Wasps in 2011, Phil Davies and Hammett have also been in permanent charge at Blues.

Before Davies' arrival Young's former assistants Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber were put in charge for 2011-12.

John and McIntosh were interim coaches in the wake of Phil Davies' March, 2014 exit.

Jonathan Davies added: "It seems like a shambles looking from the outside because if you look at the turnover of staff - Phil Davies, Burnell - it's not looking good there."