Back in rugby.

Former Wales backs coach Rob Howley has been named assistant Canada coach following his return to the sport after being banned for a betting breach ahead of the Rugby World Cup last year.

Howley was banned from rugby for 18 months from September 16 2019, with nine suspended, for betting on matches, including some Wales games.

He was withdrawn from Wales’ Rugby 2019 World Cup campaign before they flew out to Japan when the breach surfaced. Howley will also act as a consultant to Toronto Arrows for their 2021 Major League Rugby (MLR) campaign.

“I’m excited to get to work and help prepare Canada for Rugby World Cup qualification,” Howley said.

“I am also looking forward to my first season in MLR with the Toronto Arrows.

“There is a tremendous opportunity to leverage the synergy of a professional club loaded with domestic players in an emerging league to help support the national team – it is very similar to my past experience coaching in Wales.”

Canada boss Kingsley Jones said:

“Rob is one of the most highly regarded coaches in international rugby and I’m ecstatic that he will be joining us at Rugby Canada.

“He’s someone that I’ve known and respected for a long time and the opportunity to have Rob join our programme is a huge step forward for Canadian rugby.

“His experience and expertise will benefit not only our young players but our entire coaching staff.”