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How stupid with Gatland expecting to step down and possibly leaving the door open for Howley to take over as full time coach.
The Welsh Rugby World Cup squad was rocked a few hours ago with the revelations that there is an inquiry happening with regards to their attacking coach Rob Howley. Rob as most of you probably know was a scrum half for years playing for Wales and joined the coaching staff virtually straight after his playing days. He has been coaching or involved with coaching the Welsh team for the past 11 years.
The World Rugby Union allows no betting to take place whether you are a player,coach,manager,back room staff ,agent or match official. Anyone found to be involved with any form of betting can receive a fine or a life time ban.
I quote from their guidelines.
The regulation reads: "No connected person shall, directly or indirectly, bet and/or attempt to bet on the outcome or any aspect of any connected event and/or receive and/or attempt to receive part or all of the proceeds of any such bet, and/or any other benefit from a bet."
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That kind of makes it crystal clear with no grey areas at all and you have to be a numb nut to get mixed up in anything if you are involved. He was retiring after this world cup and i am hoping it is not true as another good player or ex player will be remembered for the bad and not the good.
I can understand why the World Rugby Union is so harsh and strict on this type of thing as the last thing they need is matches being thrown or fixed. I honestly don't know where the money can be made for Robert in this as he would have no say over the score line and an official would be more worrying to me.
We have seen betting in cricket matches by players and officials and I think what the Rugby code has done is smart and correct. Leave no room for doubt and ban it outright for everyone involved in the sport.
Rob has flown home to assist with the investigation and has already been replaced which tells me he is in deep trouble. Why would they replace him and send him home if he was innocent. Someone has said something or let something out the bag and it doesn't look good.
