The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gatland left in shock over assistant coach betting claims
Wales boss Warren Gatland has revealed his sense of shock after Rob Howley was sent home from the World Cup for an alleged breach of World Rugby’s betting and anti-corruption regulations.
The Wales head coach said his assistant coach was left “devastated” by the allegations.
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips revealed that he was first made aware of matters last Wednesday, which was Wales’ World Cup departure day to Japan.
The WRU said that 48-yearold former Wales captain Howley had returned to Wales to assist with an investigation in relation to a potential breach of World Rugby regulation 6, specifically betting on rugby union.
He has been part of Gatland’s highly-successful coaching team since 2008.
Former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones, who was due to succeed Howley as attack specialist after the tournament, will join the squad today ahead of a World Cup opener against Georgia in Toyota City.
“We were shocked,” Gatland said at Wales’ squad base in Kitakyushu. “At the moment, these are allegations. Obviously, Rob was devastated by the allegations. That’s all I can say.
“The Union are dealing with this, and my focus has to be on the next five days in terms of preparing the squad for the first game against Georgia.
“I must say that the players in the last 24 hours have really stepped up and they have been incredibly responsible and resilient, and sometimes that brings teams closer together.
“We have got to draw a line in the sand on this, and really focus on preparing the team for the next five days.
“We got a shock the other day, like I said, and it took a bit of time for it to sink in.”
If found guilty, Howley could face the maximum sanction of a life ban from the sport, with betting on any rugby game outlawed for the likes of players, coaches and match officials.