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Warren Gatland: Wales boss 'shocked' by Rob Howley betting allegations – Sky Sports, Skysports.com

Warren Gatland: Wales boss 'shocked' by Rob Howley betting allegations – Sky Sports, Skysports.com


                      

            “Rob is devastated,” says Wales coach Gatland, adding “it is important we focus on the rugby” ahead of Monday’s World Cup opener against Georgia

         

                

                

Last Updated: 18 / 09 / 19 7: (am)     

            

        
            

    

                            

Warren Gatland's Wales side begin their World Cup campaign against Georgia on September 23                

                     

                    

                Warren Gatland’s Wales side begin their World Cup campaign against Georgia on September 23

            

                      

Warren Gatland says the Wales team were “shocked” by the news of Rob Howley’s alleged breach of World Rugby’s betting and anti-corruption regulations.

        

On Tuesday, Wales assistant coach Howley wassent home from the Rugby World Cupsix days before their tournament opener against Georgia, and has been suspended from all matters relating to rugby.

He will be banned immediately from the tournament pending a disciplinary hearing. Meanwhile, former fly-half Stephen Jones, who was set to take over the role in 2020, is flying out to replace him.

“We were shocked by it,” Gatland told a press conference in Kitakyushu on Wednesday.

“At the moment, these are allegations. devastated by the allegations. “

The 48 – year-old former Wales captain has been part of Gatland’s coaching team since 2008 Gatland added: “It took a bit of time to sink in. It is now how we turn a difficult situation into a positive one.

” I texted Rob to see how he got home and that he was OK. “

The 56 – year-old coach admitted: “You have to deal with adversity at times, the players have really stepped up. We have got to draw a line in the sand.

“My focus has to be on preparing the team for the first World Cup game against Georgia. It hasn ‘ t really altered preparations. It will focus us. It is important we focus on the rugby. “

Wales coach Rob Howley has been sent home from the Rugby World Cup in Japan

Wales coach Rob Howley has been sent home from the Rugby World Cup in Japan

Chief executive Martyn Phillips said the Welsh Rugby Union needed to act quickly in sending Howley home.

“We were contacted on Wednesday last week, and then contacted formally with some further information on Friday, “said Phillips.

” We needed to be quick and decisive. We were very conscious that we acted in a way you would expect a governing body to act.

“After open training on Monday, we sat down with Rob. He was very co-operative. The formal process will carry on back in Wales.

“There will be an investigation. It is a pretty serious allegation. The investigation hasn’t started. other focus to manage. My focus is on doing it right.

“We have made a change, and I think we stick with that change now. Stephen is coming and he is in for the duration. “

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Gatland says the depth of his squad gives him confidence ahead of the World Cup

Gatland says the depth of his squad gives him confidence ahead of the World Cup

World Rugby has also stated that it “fully supports” the Welsh Rugby Union’s “proactive approach” over the Howley allegations.

A statement read: “World Rugby has been informed by the Welsh Rugby Union of a potential breach of World Rugby Regulation 6 (specifically betting on rugby) by a member of the union’s RWC 2019 coaching team.

“World Rugby fully supports the WRU’s proactive approach to this matter and can confirm that the union is keeping us informed of their initial discussions.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further? on an open and evolving process. “

             

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