Interim boss Howley shared responsibilities with Warren Gatland during the autumn with the pair taking charge of two games each.

With Wales slipping to four consecutive defeats Howley admitted at Wednesday’s RBS 6 Nations launch in London that the waters had become muddied during the autumn.

However ahead of the first game of their title defence against Ireland on February 2, Howley is adamant there will be no such blurred boundaries in the coming weeks.

Gatland is now in charge solely of the British and Irish Lions and Howley said: “There is clarity now.

“I spoke to Warren post-autumn about compromising the two weeks I was in charge and the two weeks Warren was in charge.

“I think clarity is important from the players’ perspective.

“He will be watching other teams training so he is not going to be involved with us in terms of training or selection so the clarity from the coaching team to the players is very evident.

“It is a challenge I am looking forward to. I’m just looking forward to making that call really.

“It was difficult in terms of the autumn as you are always communicating with Warren in terms of the bigger picture. I was conscious of being interim head coach.

“I need to let Warren Gatland know about the decision-making process in terms of selection as he is head coach.

“Short term, long term, any decision was discussed with Warren.

“For clarity moving forward in the Six Nations, it is with me.

“It feels very different for me this time.

“Now, with Warren being in charge of the Lions and the need for transparency, it is only right that Warren steps away. He will not be involved.”