Howley will take charge of this Saturday’s international clash with the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium (kick off 2pm) before taking Wales Down Under for a three-Test series with the Wallabies.
The former Wales and Lions scrum-half is standing in for head coach Warren Gatland who is still recovering from a fall in which he fractured both heels.
And while North knows the injuries suffered by the double Grand Slam winning boss back in April are a disappointment for everyone involved in the Welsh set up, he is convinced Gatland’s assistant is the right man to build on Six Nations success this summer.
“It will be a great experience for Rob, but in his own right he is a great coach,” North told the Daily Post.
“I’ve worked with him very closely in the backs and he is more than capable of doing the job. I think he will do an excellent job.
“Obviously it’s going to be a great loss to us not having Gats there, but when you look at the quality of the coaching staff we have in the likes of Rob, Robin (McBryde), Jenks (Neil Jenkins) and Shaun (Edwards), I think we will be okay.
“It is a shame not to have him there, but we have good coaches around us so we’ll be fine.”
Another member of the Welsh squad who North is tipping to shine next month is fellow Scarlets star Rhodri Jones.
The 20-year-old prop is currently in the 38-man training party and is in contention for a squad place against the Babaas and for the trip south that follows.
Jones is seen as a star of the future after a string of impressive performances for his region and for Wales U20 and North can see him making a real impact on the big stage, even if he is a little reluctant to boost his flat-mate’s ego.
“He’s played really well this season,” added North.
“He’s playing hard and making some real impact in the game.
“He’s a big old lump of a lad. He carries hard, he does his job and it’s just desserts that he should be in the Welsh squad.
“He’s my roomie, we share a flat, and it’s good to see another North Walian in the side and doing so well.
“He’s a good friend of mine and we get on really well and share a lot of things. At the end of the day, though, he may be a great player but he’s still a really messy flatmate!”
