Rob Howley given 18-month ban for betting offences that saw Wales coach sent home from Rugby World Cup in disgrace
ROB HOWLEY has been handed an 18-month ban from rugby with nine months suspended after he was found guilty of placing bets on games involving Wales. The former Wales attack coach, 49, used his Welsh Rugby Union phone and email address to register for online accounts – losing £4,000 in the process. An investigation into […]
ROB HOWLEY has been handed an 18-month ban from rugby with nine months suspended after he was found guilty of placing bets on games involving Wales.
The former Wales attack coach, 49, used his Welsh Rugby Union phone and email address to register for online accounts – losing £4,000 in the process.
An investigation into his gambling activity showed he made a total of 363 bets on 1,163 matches, which included Wales matches and specific wagers on Wales players to be first try scorers.
The bets ranged from November 2015 to September 7 last year.
One of the bets was for a Wales player to be first try scorer against Ireland in this year’s Six Nations, as one leg of a treble.
On September 16, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed Howley had been sent home from the World Cup in Japan for breaching World Rugby’s regulation six which covers gambling and anti-corruption.
In Howley’s case, his breach referred specifically to gambling, which the report said was triggered after a “family tragedy involving the death of his sister”.
LOST £4,000 ON 363 BETS
The WRU began an immediate internal investigation with the blessing of World Rugby while the tournament in Japan continued.
Following the WRU’s investigation, Howley’s case was heard in Cardiff by an independent panel and chaired by Sir Wyn Williams.
Howley’s suspension is backdated to the time of his initial withdrawal from the World Cup meaning he would be free to return to the game on or after June 16 2020.
A WRU statement read: “After a thorough and detailed investigation by the Welsh Rugby Union, Howley’s case was heard in Cardiff by an independent panel, chaired by Sir Wyn Williams.
“The panel has submitted its decision, which has been shared with World Rugby.”
Former Wales captain Howley was part of ex-boss Warren Gatland’s coaching team for 11 years.
He was set to be named Italy manager next year but that has been scrapped since his betting scandal.
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Howley was replaced by Stephen Jones at the last minute in Japan, with Wales finishing fourth in the World Cup.
WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said at the time: “There is no doubt in my mind that the players and coaches know what ‘Regulation 6’ is and how it works.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, people in rugby know what’s required of them.”
