'An extremely challenging time': Top coach makes dramatic return to Wales

NEWS: Rob Howley has been restored to Wales’ coaching staff for the first time since being banned for breaching betting regulations, it was announced on Thursday.

The former Wales and British and Irish Lions scrumhalf served as attack coach from 2008-19 in a hugely successful spell that saw Wales win four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams.

The 53-year-old had to step down ahead of the 2019 World Cup when it emerged he had contravened World Rugby anti-corruption and betting regulations after placing 363 bets on the sport.

Howley received an 18-month ban from Rugby Union, half of which was suspended, before relaunching his coaching career with Canada.

Now he has back in the Wales set-up as a “technical” coach, in a post that will also see him work with the Wales Under-20s team ahead of their Six Nations.

“It feels to me like the time is right and I’m really looking forward to returning to the fold with Wales,” Howley said in a Welsh Rugby Union statement.

“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 their faith in me, it’s faith I intend to repay to the best of my ability.

“I have been through an extremely challenging time in my life. Speaking out and talking about it has enabled me to move forward.”

Jonathan Thomas’s exit as contact area coach created space in Warren Gatland’s staff, allowing Howley to join fellow assistants Mike Forshaw, Jonathan Humphreys, Neil Jenkins and Alex King.

“Rob is one of the most successful and experienced Welsh coaches on the international arena at the moment,” said Wales head coach Gatland.

“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.

“We are delighted that he will be joining the 2024 coaching team and it’s a major coup for Welsh rugby to have secured his services once again.”

Wales, beaten by Argentina in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, begin their senior 2024 Six Nations campaign at home to Scotland on February 3.

🚨 Rob Howley returns!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Rob Howley comes home as Technical Coach for the senior men’s team with responsibility for the men and boys pathway, alongside new U20s Head Coach Richard Whiffin, who has previously worked as attack coach for the Welsh women’s team.

For more info 👇

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) December 14, 2023