Former Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has been suspended from rugby for 18 months, with nine suspended, for breaching the sport’s betting regulations.
Howley, a part of Warren Gatland’s backroom staff during the New Zealander’s time in charge of Wales, was sent home from this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan before it began after the WRU became aware of allegations against Howley, with an investigation then launched.
In a report into the investigation, the WRU state they were informed on Sept. 10 by an employee of Betway Howley had placed bets on games involving Welsh national sides. In total, Howley was alleged to have placed 363 bets featuring 1,163 matches in total over a period of around five years — making an overall loss of approximately £4,000. The bets included games featuring the Welsh senior side. Howley did not contest the charges against him.
Howley also admitted to using his WRU issued phone and email account to place the bets.
ESPN sources understand Howley was a strong contender for the Italy head coach position before the allegations against Howley were made public.
The suspension has been backdated to the day Howley was withdrawn from the World Cup, Sept. 16, meaning he will be free to return to coaching on June 16 2020. Howley has until Dec. 25 to appeal.