Wales backs coach sent home

Wales backs coach Rob Howley has been sent home from the World Cup for an alleged breach of World Rugby’s laws covering betting and anti-corruption.

The 48-year-old’s departure is a huge blow just six days before Wales’ opening game in Japan against Pool D opponents Georgia. A Welsh Rugby Union statement said Howley had “returned to Wales to assist with an investigation”.

The WRU confirmed it was in relation to a potential breach of betting on rugby.

World Rugby’s regulation 6.3.1 reads: “No connected person shall, directly or indirectly, bet and/or attempt to bet on the outcome or any aspect of any connected event and/or receive and/or attempt to receive part or all of the proceeds of any such bet and/or any other benefit in relation to a bet.”

Wales have sent for Stephen Jones to fill the gap left by Howley’s sudden departure and Jones is expected to arrive “imminently” at the squad’s Kitakyushu base.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions first five-eighth Jones has already been confirmed as the next Wales backs coach under Wayne Pivac, who will take the reins from Gatland after the tournament.

The WRU statement said: “Rob Howley has returned to Wales to assist with an investigation in relation to a potential breach of World Rugby Regulation 6, specifically betting on rugby union.

The former Wales halfback has been part of Gatland’s backroom staff since being appointed in January 2008 and was one of the first backroom recruits, and also played under him at Wasps.

Since he became part of the coaching setup, Wales have won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams.-BBC “It is an achievement being here but the goal is to go beyond that and we want to win it,” he said.

However, May added that he expects a tight Rugby World Cup that will come down to fine margins..