Education
Howe was brought up in Dromore and attended Banbridge Academy.
Howe was brought up in Dromore and attended Banbridge Academy.
He played for Oxford University in The Varsity Match against Cambridge in 1995 and 1996, captaining the team in 1996. An injury resulted in a three year absence from rugby, until he rejoined Ulster in 1998. On 10 June 2000 he made his senior international debut for Ireland against the United States.
He also toured with the 2001 British and Irish Lions.
Howe retired from professional rugby at the end of the 2005-2006 season. In 2005 he was elected to Banbridge District Council as an Ulster Unionist Party candidate.
In 2007 he resigned from the council citing work commitments. Howe now regularly appears on Sky Sports rugby coverage as a commentator and analyst, previously he has worked for Setanta Sports.
He now teaches at Uppingham School in Rutland.