After an unsuccessful 2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals, the then head coach of Romania Haralambie Dumitras resigned, with Howells taking over.
His first match came in the first year of the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division, a narrow 19–13 win over Portugal, before securing wins against Russia, 29–14, Spain, 25–15 and Belgium, 32–14.
On 16 March 13, they drew with Georgia, 9–all, the sides' first ever draw; however, Georgia claimed the title on point difference, +74 to +49.
In June 2013, Romania clinched their second IRB Nations Cup with victories over Russia, Argentina XV and Italy A. During the 2013 end-of-year rugby union internationals, Howells led Romania to a 19–18 win over Tonga, a first ever meeting between the two nations, and a 21–20 win over Canada.
A clean sweep was blocked by Fiji on 23 November, when the Flying Fijians won, 26–7.

In the second year of the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division, Howells led Romania to a 24–0 victory over Portugal, followed by a 34–3 win over Russia, a 32–6 win over Spain and a 29–10 win over Belgium.
Heading into the final match against Georgia, Romania were leading the table with 38 points; however, a 22–9 loss to the Lelos saw the Georgians take their third consecutive European Nations Cup title.
Romania finished second to qualify as Europe 2 in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
During the 2014 IRB Nations Cup, Romania finished second behind Emerging Ireland, who were the only side to beat Howells' men, 31–10.
The 2014 end-of-year rugby union internationals saw Romania claim a single victory, coming in the final week of their campaign, an 18–9 win over Canada.
Their losses came against the United States, 27–17, and Japan, 18–13.

At the start of the 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division, Romania picked up a 37–10 win over Portugal and a 29–8 win over Spain.
However, on 28 February 2015, Romania lost to Russia, 16–13, for the first time since 2009, before defeating newly promoted side Germany, 17–12.
On 21 March 2015, Romania failed to beat Georgia for the seventh consecutive time, losing, 15–6.
A promising performance in the 2015 World Rugby Nations Cup gave the side a glimmer of hope heading into the World Cup later in the year, with a 35–9 win over Spain, a 43–3 win over Namibia and finally a convincing 23–0 win over Argentina XV.
Ahead of the World Cup, Romania failed to win a single warm-up match, drawing with Yorkshire Carnegie 10–all, losing to Edinburgh 31–16 and in their only test match, losing to Tonga 21–16.
During the World Cup, Romania performed well against France, in what was Romania's first Tier 1 opponent since England during the 2011 Rugby World Cup almost exactly 4 years before the French game.
France downed Romania, 38–11, before Romania faced another Tier 1 side, Ireland, losing, 44–10.
They earned their first World Cup win since the 2007 tournament defeating Canada 17–15, despite being 8–0 down at half time; a 78th-minute penalty by Florin Vlaicu sealed the win.
Despite scoring 3 tries, Romania were defeated by Italy 32–22 in their final match of the tournament, seeing them finish fourth in their group.

In the second leg of matches of the 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division, Romania secured wins over Russia, Spain, Germany and Portugal, before losing to Georgia, 38–9, in their final match; a record winning margin for the Lelos.
The 2016 World Rugby Nations Cup saw Romania claim their fourth title, after beating Argentina XV, 20–8, in the final.
In the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals Romania had a vert successful campaign winning all three tests; 23–10 against the United States, 21–16 win over Canada and ended with a 36–10 victory over Uruguay.

During the 2017 Rugby Europe Championship, Romania started with a first ever loss to Germany since 1938, losing 41–38.
However, Romania went onto win all of their remaining matches; Spain 13–3, Russia 30–10, Belgium 33–17 and a first ever win over Georgia since 2010, 8–7.
This was the first ever time Howells had led Romania to a victory over Georgia and to win the Antim C
After an unsuccessful 2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals, the then head coach of Romania Haralambie Dumitras resigned, with Howells taking over. His first match came in the first year of the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division, a narrow 19–13 win over Portugal, before securing wins against Russia, 29–14, Spain, 25–15 and Belgium, 32–14. On 16 March 13, they drew with Georgia, 9–all, the sides' first ever draw; however, Georgia claimed the title on point difference, +74 to +49. In June 2013, Romania clinched their second IRB Nations Cup with victories over Russia, Argentina XV and Italy A. During the 2013 end-of-year rugby union internationals, Howells led Romania to a 19–18 win over Tonga, a first ever meeting between the two nations, and a 21–20 win over Canada. A clean sweep was blocked by Fiji on 23 November, when the Flying Fijians won, 26–7.
In the second year of the 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division, Howells led Romania to a 24–0 victory over Portugal, followed by a 34–3 win over Russia, a 32–6 win over Spain and a 29–10 win over Belgium. Heading into the final match against Georgia, Romania were leading the table with 38 points; however, a 22–9 loss to the Lelos saw the Georgians take their third consecutive European Nations Cup title. Romania finished second to qualify as Europe 2 in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. During the 2014 IRB Nations Cup, Romania finished second behind Emerging Ireland, who were the only side to beat Howells' men, 31–10. The 2014 end-of-year rugby union internationals saw Romania claim a single victory, coming in the final week of their campaign, an 18–9 win over Canada. Their losses came against the United States, 27–17, and Japan, 18–13.
At the start of the 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division, Romania picked up a 37–10 win over Portugal and a 29–8 win over Spain. However, on 28 February 2015, Romania lost to Russia, 16–13, for the first time since 2009, before defeating newly promoted side Germany, 17–12. On 21 March 2015, Romania failed to beat Georgia for the seventh consecutive time, losing, 15–6. A promising performance in the 2015 World Rugby Nations Cup gave the side a glimmer of hope heading into the World Cup later in the year, with a 35–9 win over Spain, a 43–3 win over Namibia and finally a convincing 23–0 win over Argentina XV. Ahead of the World Cup, Romania failed to win a single warm-up match, drawing with Yorkshire Carnegie 10–all, losing to Edinburgh 31–16 and in their only test match, losing to Tonga 21–16. During the World Cup, Romania performed well against France, in what was Romania's first Tier 1 opponent since England during the 2011 Rugby World Cup almost exactly 4 years before the French game. France downed Romania, 38–11, before Romania faced another Tier 1 side, Ireland, losing, 44–10. They earned their first World Cup win since the 2007 tournament defeating Canada 17–15, despite being 8–0 down at half time; a 78th-minute penalty by Florin Vlaicu sealed the win. Despite scoring 3 tries, Romania were defeated by Italy 32–22 in their final match of the tournament, seeing them finish fourth in their group.
In the second leg of matches of the 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division, Romania secured wins over Russia, Spain, Germany and Portugal, before losing to Georgia, 38–9, in their final match; a record winning margin for the Lelos. The 2016 World Rugby Nations Cup saw Romania claim their fourth title, after beating Argentina XV, 20–8, in the final. In the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals Romania had a vert successful campaign winning all three tests; 23–10 against the United States, 21–16 win over Canada and ended with a 36–10 victory over Uruguay.
During the 2017 Rugby Europe Championship, Romania started with a first ever loss to Germany since 1938, losing 41–38. However, Romania went onto win all of their remaining matches; Spain 13–3, Russia 30–10, Belgium 33–17 and a first ever win over Georgia since 2010, 8–7. This was the first ever time Howells had led Romania to a victory over Georgia and to win the Antim C
Lynn Howells