Warren Gatland states the Wales staff were”amazed” by the news of Rob Howley’s alleged breach of World Rugby’s gambling and anti-corruption regulations.
On Tuesday, Wales assistant trainer Howley was suspended, and was shipped six days before their tournament opener against Georgia.
He’ll be banned from the championship pending a hearing. Meanwhile Stephen Jones, that was put to take over the role in 2020, is flying out to displace him.
“We’re amazed by it,” Gatland told a media conference in Kitakyushu on Wednesday.
“At the moment, these are allegations. Rob is devastated by the allegations.”
The Wales captain has been a part of the coaching team of Gatland since 2008.
Gatland included:”It took a little time to sink in. It is how we turn a challenging situation into a positive person.
“I texted Rob to observe just how he got home and he was OK.”
The 56-year-old mentor admitted:”You have to manage adversity sometimes the players have really stepped up. We’ve got to draw a line in the sand.
“My attention has to be on preparing the team for the very first World Cup game against Georgia. It has not really altered preparations. It will focus us. It is important we concentrate on the rugby.”
Chief executive Martyn Phillips reported in sending Howley house, that the Welsh Rugby Union needed to act fast.
“We were contacted on Wednesday last week, and then contacted formally with some additional info about Friday,” said Phillips.
“We had to be fast and decisive. We were very aware that we acted in ways you’d expect a body to behave.
“After open training on Monday, we sat down with Rob. He was quite co-operative. The process will carry on back in Wales.
“There’ll be an evaluation. It’s a serious allegation. The analysis hasn’t started. There are agencies to handle. My focus is on doing it right.
“We’ve made a switch, and I believe we stick with this change today. Stephen is now coming and he’s responsible for the course.”
World Rugby also has said that it”fully supports” that the Welsh Rugby Union’s”proactive strategy” over the Howley allegations.
A statement titled:”World Rugby was informed by the Welsh Rugby Union with a possible breach of World Rugby Legislation 6 (especially betting on football ) with a part of the union’s RWC 2019 coaching team.
“World Rugby completely affirms the WRU’s proactive approach to the matter and can confirm that the marriage is keeping us informed of their first discussions.
“It might be improper to comment further? On an open and evolving process.”
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