Howler

[MrK]

What the what!

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... d-16933955

[paddy no 11]

Fucking hell, grim build up for wales facing into a tough group

[Billyfish]

Flabbergasting. Who'd have thought he was that interesting? Hope that doesn't effect the prep tooo badly, though it can only cause disruption.

[Ross. S]

So thats Howley done then. If Wales dont win the world cup it'll be all his fault.

He'll always be tainted no matter what the outcome and if he's been betting against his own team then nobody will ever employ him again.

Silver lining, I cant see him ever becoming Wales coach now

[Son of Mathonwy]

Holy crap! Was not, in all honesty, expecting that.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

I knew there was something fishy going on! There's no way we'd be winning back to back warm up matches without someone fixing it. So Howley pockets a couple of Euros and we end up saddled with them Ulster donkeys for the tournament.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Silver linings...
Jones's early involvement could help handover to the new coaching team.
Gatland's game is hardly built around attacking rugby.

[Sandydragon]

Not the best of news. I much prefer Jones in that role, although whether Gatland will allow him any room to work on our attach is debatable.

On a serious note, I hope this is just a horrible mistake, for Howleys sake.

[normanski]

From a national pride point of view this is not great news.

I’m not a fan of Howley but I hope it’s not true because it will leave a stain on Wales rugby for years to come.

Well done to the WRU for following protocols.

One has to wonder why this has come out now if there has been allegations made concerning past incidents. Fishy?

[Big D]

If what I have read elsewhere is true about the nature of the bets he is fucked and rightfully so. If true.

[Renniks]

Did he make bets that Wales wouldn't score more than 2 tries a game? That would explain how they play…

[Numbers]

If what I have read elsewhere is true about the nature of the bets he is fucked and rightfully so. If true.

Please elucidate, using the word allegedly of course.

[Big D]

He allegedly bet the following, and I stress this is alleged bets as alleged on the internet. Innocent until proven guilty etc:
1. Bet on how Wales would score first points in games. Try, penalty, forwards and backs etc and then influencing the attack play to suit.
2. Bet on England to win - not clear what this bet was just seen the statement "bet on England to win".
3. Bet on Rhys Webb not going to the world cup.

All very serious as they are things he potentially had influence over.

[Puja]

He allegedly bet the following, and I stress this is alleged bets as alleged on the internet. Innocent until proven guilty etc:
1. Bet on how Wales would score first points in games. Try, penalty, forwards and backs etc and then influencing the attack play to suit.
2. Bet on England to win - not clear what this bet was just seen the statement "bet on England to win".
3. Bet on Rhys Webb not going to the world cup.

All very serious as they are things he potentially had influence over.

I should note that any further discussion of this needs to make clear that this is rumour, based around speculation seen elsewhere, and that no-one here is alleging Howley did any of those things.

That being said, f*cking hell. *If* that were to turn out to be the situation, it'd be a hell of a lot more serious than anyone thought. You'd have to hope there'd be mental health support for an obvious gambling problem.

Puja

[Numbers]

He allegedly bet the following, and I stress this is alleged bets as alleged on the internet. Innocent until proven guilty etc:
1. Bet on how Wales would score first points in games. Try, penalty, forwards and backs etc and then influencing the attack play to suit.
2. Bet on England to win - not clear what this bet was just seen the statement "bet on England to win".
3. Bet on Rhys Webb not going to the world cup.

All very serious as they are things he potentially had influence over.

Cheers

[Big D]

He allegedly bet the following, and I stress this is alleged bets as alleged on the internet. Innocent until proven guilty etc:
1. Bet on how Wales would score first points in games. Try, penalty, forwards and backs etc and then influencing the attack play to suit.
2. Bet on England to win - not clear what this bet was just seen the statement "bet on England to win".
3. Bet on Rhys Webb not going to the world cup.

All very serious as they are things he potentially had influence over.

I should note that any further discussion of this needs to make clear that this is rumour, based around speculation seen elsewhere, and that no-one here is alleging Howley did any of those things.

That being said, f*cking hell. *If* that were to turn out to be the situation, it'd be a hell of a lot more serious than anyone thought. You'd have to hope there'd be mental health support for an obvious gambling problem.

Puja

Yes, repeating speculation from elsewhere. More than happy to delete if needed.

Should add there is also rumours that any alleged transgression may have been minor.

[Sandydragon]

Thanks Numbers.

Given that this is a serious allegation and Howley is innocent until proven guilty, please ensure that any statements aren’t assuming guilt until we hear otherwise.

[Digby]

It is bloody funny whatever else it is. Shocking mind it's come out right before a World Cup, it's almost like someone has sat on the story until an opportune moment to go public

[Sandydragon]

It is bloody funny whatever else it is. Shocking mind it's come out right before a World Cup, it's almost like someone has sat on the story until an opportune moment to go public

Your not the first person today to make that observation.

Top marks I suppose to the WRU for not brushing it under the carpet for a few weeks!

[Big D]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50629124

Ban handed down.

Hopefully he gets whatever help is needed but that looks pretty bad and punishment is pretty lenient all things considered.

[Sandydragon]

I think he has been fortunate there, probably the fact he lost money being a big factor in that. He is using insider knowledge to predict who will score tries, so he is very lucky. As you say, I hope he gets the help he needs, whilst £4K isn't a huge loss for someone on his salary, its indicative of a problem and one he needs to over come.

A sad end for years of service to Welsh Rugby.

[Digby]

Why people think it's acceptable to use company phones/laptops in such fashion I don't know. I'd have fired him for that alone, although in this case it may speak to a stupidity that should worry any future employer too.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Incredibly lenient punishment.

[Sandydragon]

Why people think it's acceptable to use company phones/laptops in such fashion I don't know. I'd have fired him for that alone, although in this case it may speak to a stupidity that should worry any future employer too.

Yup. Also a bit surprised that WRU issued devices can connect to gambling sites in the first place.

[normanski]

What a terrible end to his career as a top flight coach. I can’t think anyone would want to employ him in the Pro 14. Perhaps he needs to go overseas to a developing nation as part of his redemption when he’s served his ban.