SHOCKED ..BUT WE MUST GAT OVER THIS
Wales coach says his squad have to draw a line in the sand after being rocked by Howley betting allegations
AS scandal-hit Rob Howley contemplated his rugby future, Warren Gatland was left picking up the pieces in Japan ahead of Wales’ World Cup opener with Georgia.
Gatland’s right-hand man for the past 12 years was keeping a low profile after being sent home from the Dragons’ training camp on Monday, following betting allegations against him.
He will now be subject to a formal investigation and will have to hope his case has not damaged Welsh hopes of giving Gatland the perfect send-off as head coach.
The breaking story ruined Gatland’s 56th birthday party plans in Japan, but he has promised that his players will use the upset to galvanise them ahead of their curtainraiser against the Georgians.
“We have got to draw a line in the sand on this and really focus on preparing the team for the next five days,” said Gatland. “It took a bit of time for it to sink in. We’ve got to focus and we know there is going to be some speculation in the next 24 hours. We have to deal with that.
“I have had better birthdays, that’s for sure!
“We were all shocked, but the Welsh Rugby 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 World Cup game against Georgia.” After delivering three Grand Slams in his 12 years in charge – with Howley one of his key coaches – Gatland was hoping for a triumphant departure at his third World Cup with Wales. Before he left for Japan, Gatland had said that he felt he had a squad capable of winning the world title. Now he is going to find out about the strength of their resolve. “You have to deal with adversity at times and it’s how you respond to that,” he added. “I must say the players have been incredibly responsible and resilient.
“Sometimes things like this bring teams closer together.
“It’s probably a Welsh trait and I’ve seen that in the last 24 hours with how close they’ve been. They know it’s a difficult period, but we need to respond pretty well.”
Howley’s coaching career appears to be in tatters as Wales look to move on without him. The 48-year-old is alleged to have breached
World Rugby’s regulation six, which covers betting and anti-corruption.
“There was concern from the coaches and the players about Rob’s welfare.
“We have to let the formal process take its course and that can continue outside our preparation,” said Gatland (above). “These are allegations at the moment, and, obviously, Rob was devastated by them.”
WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips, who immediately sanctioned the
call-up of Howley’s successor-in-waiting, Stephen Jones (left), to take his place in the Welsh camp in Japan, confirmed an investigation will take place post-World Cup.
He also revealed the union were first alerted to the situation by one of the betting company’s integrity teams. “We were contacted informally on Wednesday of last week to suggest there was a potential breach of regulation six,” said Phillips.
“We were then contacted formally with further information on Friday evening. At that point, we informed World Rugby there was a potential breach and we would be seeking face-toface time with Rob.
“It is a serious allegation. “Rob is our employee, we have a duty of care towards him and I can assure you that has been a major factor we have considered over the last few days.”