UNDER-FIRE Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley has the backing of the Wales players, according to James King.

Speaking to the media at the squad’s Vale of Glamorgan base today, back-rower King insisted interim head coach Howley is the man to lead Wales in Warren Gatland’s absence.

Howley has come under pressure after some disappointing displays during the autumn series, with fans and pundits questioning his selection and tactics.

But when asked if the squad still had confidence in Howley and his staff, Ospreys star King said: “Of course the players do, you respect your leaders and he is our leader at the moment.

“Obviously, he is going to have respect from us.

“I think people are very quick to have an opinion on Facebook or Twitter, or whatever, they can say what they want and people are going to see that.

“Teams have lost in the past before, you are not a bad team because the result that you want hasn’t gone how people would have expected.

“There is a massive game coming up against South Africa and I don’t think people should dwell on what went on last weekend.”

King, who won his 10th cap in the 33-30 defeat of Japan last Saturday, added: “Players don’t go out there to lose. The weekend was what it was and we can’t keep looking back.

“If we are going to develop we have to move forward.”

A wounded South African side, fresh from a demoralising 20-18 loss to Italy, have arrived in Cardiff ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Wales at the Principality Stadium.

“The Springboks will be hurting after losing to Italy, but they won’t be coming here with any lesser team, just look at the calibre of players they have got,” said King.

“You can’t have the Springboks coming to your front door and thinking it is going to be a walkover.

“We are looking to finish with three wins out of four in the autumn internationals, as I said, we have to look forward and we are still confident.”