Rob Howley: Former Wales assistant coach takes Canada role

Former Wales coach Rob Howley has been named assistant Canada coach following his return to the sport after being banned for a betting breach.

Howley, 49, was banned from rugby for 18 months from 16 September, 2019, with nine suspended, for betting on matches, including Wales games.

He was withdrawn from Wales’ 2019 World Cup campaign when the breach surfaced.

Howley will also act as a consultant to Toronto Arrows for their 2021 Major League Rugby (MLR) campaign as he helps Jones prepare the Canucks ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Howley said: “I’m excited to get to work and help prepare Canada for Rugby World Cup qualification.

“I am also looking forward to my first season in MLR with the Toronto Arrows.

“There is a tremendous opportunity to leverage the synergy of a professional club loaded with domestic players in an emerging league to help support the national team - it is very similar to my past experience coaching in Wales.”

Canada boss Jones said: “Rob is one of the most highly regarded coaches in international rugby and I’m ecstatic that he will be joining us at Rugby Canada.

“He’s someone that I’ve known and respected for a long time and the opportunity to have Rob join our programme is a huge step forward for Canadian rugby.

“His experience and expertise will benefit not only our young players but our entire coaching staff.”

In the wake of his ban from the sport after he had placed 363 bets on 1,163 matches over four years, Howley apologised for breaching betting rules as he “battled demons” in the wake of his sister’s death.

He had been due to leave his role as Wales assistant coach after the 2019 World Cup and was linked with coaching Italy before the betting breach was revealed.

Since being eligible to return to active rugby duty, Howley was linked with returning to a coaching role with one of his former clubs, Wasps.

But Howley’s future now lies back in international rugby with Rugby Canada’s director of rugby operations Dustin Hopkins expressing his satisfaction with the former scrum-half’s appointment.

“I’d like to thank Bill Webb and the Toronto Arrows for their partnership, in conjunction with philanthropic donations from dedicated Canadian rugby supporters in aiding Rugby Canada’s ambition in bringing Rob to Canada,” said Hopkins.

As a coach, Howley joined Cardiff Blues before becoming part of Warren Gatland’s Wales set-up that won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams between 2008 and 2019.

Howley was also the Lions backs coach for three tours in 2009, 2013 and 2017.