Rob Howley vows to make the most of his ‘second opportunity’ with Wales after taking up new coaching role, as he admits he has come through an ‘extremely challenging time’ after serving a ban for breaching betting regulations

• Rob Howley previously worked as Warren Gatland’s assistant with Wales
• He was handed a ban in 2019 for breaching World Rugby’s betting regulations
• Howley has now been welcomed back into the fold as a technical coach 

Rob Howley has vowed to repay the faith put in him by Warren Gatland and Welsh rugby’s top brass after his return to the country’s national game was confirmed on Thursday.

Howley was banned from rugby and left his previous role with Wales on the eve of the 2019 World Cup when it was found he had been betting on the sport in which he was involved.

A subsequent investigation saw Howley banned from any involvement in rugby for 18 months, nine of which were suspended. He admitted to breaching World Rugby’s betting regulations.

After his ban expired, Howley worked in Canada but will now start 2024 alongside Wales head coach Gatland as a technical coach. His new role will also see him head up Welsh rugby’s development pathway system and work closely with the country’s Under-20 side.

‘It feels to me like the time is right and I am really looking forward to returning to the fold with Wales,’ said former Wales scrum-half and captain Howley.

Rob Howley (pictured) was banned from any involvement in rugby for breaching betting regulations

He is now back in the fold as a technical coach for Wales after previously being the national side’s assistant coach under Warren Gatland (left)

‘I have a second opportunity to do a job I’ve dedicated my working life to and I’m grateful to everyone in Welsh rugby for their acceptance and faith in me.

‘It’s faith I intend to repay to the best of my ability. The opportunity to work with the Under-20’s and other pathway teams and help develop and prepare them for the challenges of international rugby is particularly exciting. I have been through an extremely challenging time in my life.

‘Speaking out and talking about it has enabled me to move forward. I will be more than happy to share my experience with others who might be experiencing tough times and I’m grateful to all of those around me who have supported me through these times.’

Howley was found to have placed 363 bets on rugby union, featuring 1,163 matches, between November 13, 2015 and September 7, 2019.

Some of those bets involved Wales matches and there were two instances where Howley bet on a specific Wales player to either be a try-scorer in a match or score the first try.

He admitted his gambling came about as a result of the death of his sister Karen Thomas and that he had made a grave mistake.

It was a mistake he paid gravely for but he has now served his time. It is great to see him back.

Howley was found to have placed bets on over 1,000 matches over a four-year period, with some of the matches involving Wales

Gatland wanted Howley involved in his team earlier this year but the move was blocked by the Welsh Rugby Union’s board at the time.

There can be no doubt though that his rugby knowledge and coaching experience will be of huge benefit to Welsh rugby now that a move back to Wales has been ratified.

In his first decorated stint as Wales assistant to Gatland, Howley won three Six Nations grand slams in 2008, 2012 and 2019 and led Wales to the 2013 Championship title as head coach.

He worked with Wales at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and was an assistant coach with the British & Irish Lions on three straight tours in 2009, 2013 and 2017. Howley will rejoin Gatland’s back-room team as Wales assistant coach (technical), alongside Mike Forshaw (defence), Jonathan Humphreys (forwards), Neil Jenkins (skills) and Alex King (attack).

‘Rob is one of the most successful and experienced Welsh coaches on the international arena at the moment,’ said Gatland, who adds new blood to his back-room team after contact area coach Jonathan Thomas announced his departure.

Gatland is ‘delighted’ to have Howley back in the fold after he served his ban from the sport

‘When we lost Rob from Welsh rugby, we lost a hugely significant amount of intellectual property, knowledge of the game in Wales, and of the international scene.

‘I’m delighted to welcome him back into this new role. To be able to link the Under-20s and pathway teams up seamlessly with our strategy and planning for the national squad is going to benefit all parts of the game, including our four regional sides and their academies.

‘As far as the senior men’s team is concerned we are delighted he will be joining the 2024 coaching team and it is a major coup for Welsh rugby to have secured his services once again.’

Howley’s work with the Wales Under-20 side will see him join forces with Richard Whiffin who has been confirmed as the new head coach of the junior team.

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