CARETAKER boss Rob Howley has told Wales’ players that they can afford to slip up just once in a daunting schedule at Principality Stadium this season if they are to enjoy a favourable World Cup draw.

The autumn series will see Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa head to Cardiff in November while England and Ireland are the visitors in the Six Nations.

The Wallabies, Springboks and Grand Slam-winning England are currently above fifth-placed Wales in the World Rugby rankings while the Irish and Pumas are hot on their tails.

With the draw for the 2019 World Cup in Japan taking place next May, the scramble is on for seedings in order to stand the best chance of avoiding a group of death like the one that did for hosts England last year when they were knocked out of their own tournament by Wales and Australia.

Howley is aware that Cardiff contests hold the key. In the last three seasons Wales have won 14 of 20 Tests on home soil and if they are to keep up that ratio – as the former scrum-half has demanded – then just one of six games can be lost.

“In the last three years our record is 70 percent at the Principality Stadium,” said Howley, who confirmed that Sam Warburton will once again lead his country this season.

“In the next 10 months we’ve got six home games. You look at the World Rugby rankings and what’s at stake, if we look after our home record and better 70 per cent, then that’s a huge carrot and motivation for our players.

“We’ve got a huge challenge and something to look forward to in looking after and bettering our home record.

If we better 70 per cent then from a ranking perspective we will be in a good shape and hopefully then have a better World Cup draw, although that’s never guaranteed as England and Australia found out as well.”

Howley has taken over the reins from Warren Gatland while the head coach concentrates on preparing the Lions for their summer tour to New Zealand.

He has pledged to learn the lessons from 2012 when Wales endured an autumn whitewash then lost their Six Nations opener to Ireland before going on to win the title by thrashing England.

“This time it feels different because Warren has said he will not be staying after 2019. In 2012 and 2013 that wasn’t the case,” he said.

“Warren is still looking at the bigger picture in terms of our national dual contracts but the day to day running of the team and the decision-making within the national squad will be done by myself.

“Autumn 2012 was a huge learning experience for me as a head coach. Because Warren came back for the Australia and New Zealand games that period was difficult with constant messages between us.

“There was a lot of energy wasted, a lot of communication. I am huge on a players-centred approach and it was evident that we didn’t have a backs coach until Mark Jones came in for the Six Nations, that’s why I’m delighted we have Matt Sherratt (the Cardiff Blues coach joining the management team temporarily) coming in for the autumn.”

Wales will name their autumn series squad on Tuesday, October 18 with Howley likely to go with a squad of around 34 players.