![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Rob Howley has been appointed to Warren Gatland\u2019s coaching staff for the Six Nations in his first involvement with Wales since being banned for breaching betting regulations.<\/p>\n
Howley served as Wales\u2019 attack coach from 2008 to 2019 in a golden era for the national side that featured four Championship titles, three of them Grand Slams.<\/p>\n
The former Lions scrum-half was forced to step back from the game in the build up to the 2019 World Cup when his betting activity came to light, resulting in an 18-month ban from rugby, half of which was suspended.<\/p>\n
Now he has returned to the fold as a \u2018technical\u2019 coach in a role that also sees him involved with the Wales Under-20 side ahead of their Six Nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels to me like the time is right and I\u2019m really looking forward to returning to the fold with Wales,\u201d Howley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a second opportunity to do a job I\u2019ve dedicated my working life to and I\u2019m grateful to everyone in Welsh rugby for their acceptance and their faith in me, it\u2019s faith I intend to repay to the best of my ability.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been through an extremely challenging time in my life. Speaking out and talking about it has enabled me to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan Thomas\u2019 departure as contact area coach created space in Gatland\u2019s management team, allowing Howley to link up with fellow assistants Mike Forshaw, Jonathan Humphreys, Neil Jenkins and Alex King.<\/p>\n
\u201cRob is one of the most successful and experienced Welsh coaches on the international arena at the moment,\u201d Gatland said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we lost Rob from Welsh rugby we lost a hugely significant amount of intellectual property, knowledge of the game in Wales and of the international scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted that he will be joining the 2024 coaching team and it\u2019s a major coup for Welsh rugby to have secured his services once again.\u201d<\/p>\n