Rob Howley joins Canada backroom staff

Rob Howley will resume his coaching career after he has been signed by Rugby Canada for a senior assistant coach role.

The 49-year-old has been serving a 18-month ban with nine months suspended after proved guilty of breaching World Rugby Anti-Corruption and Betting Regulations in December last year.

He has now signed a three-year deal with Rugby Canada that will see him work under Kingsley Jones until the 2023 World Cup apart from working as a consultant with Toronto Arrows during the 2021 Major League Rugby season.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Rugby Canada and begin working alongside Kingsley Jones and the other Canadian coaches,” Howley said.

“I’m excited to get to work and help prepare Canada for World Cup qualification. 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’s very similar to my past experience coaching in Wales.”

Howley spent most of his coaching career with Wales after being their assistant coach between 2008 and 2019 and was in charge of the side when Warren Gatland was involved in British and Lions duty. He also played 59 Tests for Wales between 1996 and 2002 and was part of the Lions squad in 1997 and 2001.