Warren Gatland asks Wales to forgive Rob Howley for breaching betting rules

Warren Gatland believes that Rob Howley should be forgiven for breaching betting rules and possibly become eligible to rejoin Wales' coaching staff.

Former Wales attack coach Howley was sent home from Japan on the eve of the 2019 World Cup and he subsequently received an 18-month ban from rugby, nine of which were suspended.

Howley has since rebuilt his coaching career with Canada and it is thought he was a front-runner to work with Gatland following his return as Wales boss last month.

It is understood, though, that any move for Howley was blocked by senior figures within the Welsh Rugby Union.

The make-up of Gatland's coaching team was completed on Tuesday, with Jonathan Thomas (contact area), joining Alex King (attack), Jonathan Humphreys (forwards), Mike Forshaw (defence) and kicking specialist Neil Jenkins.

"I have got a huge amount of respect for Rob as a rugby coach," Gatland said. "I suppose the information given to me was that the timing wasn't right.

"You would like to think that if anyone was going to be forgiving it would be the Welsh forgiving their own.

"It has been over three years now, but that is not the case at the moment.

"Hopefully, Rob will continue to be involved in rugby. He has been involved with Canada and he has had the backing of World Rugby, who have been funding that position.

"I just think I would like to see him involved at the highest possible level again in the future."

Gatland names Ken Owens as Six Nations' captain

Ken Owens has been named Wales captain by Gatland despite the presence of Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Justin Tipuric in his Six Nations squad.

Scarlets hooker Owens won his first cap for Wales under Gatland in 2011 and will be handed the ultimate honour of becoming his country’s 141st captain for their opener against Ireland on Feb 4.

The returning Gatland was spoilt for choice in many ways given he included Justin Tiupric - captain for last autumn’s international - alongside last summer’s captain Dan Biggar and the record-breaking Alun Wyn Jones in his 37-strong squad.

Owens, 36, was earlier this season contemplating whether he would return to the game at all due to a bad back injury, which meant him missing the 2021 Autumn Series, the 2022 Six Nations and the summer tour to South Africa. He returned for this season’s autumn fixtures and regained peak form very quickly.

“Firstly, Ken’s a great man. If you look at the way he played in the autumn and how he came back from injury, he’s probably number one in that position,” said Gatland.

“I did contemplate whether we picked a young captain and looked to the future. Talking to the other coaches, there are probably a few contenders post-World Cup, when there’ll be significant change to the squad.

“But Ken’s been picked to do a job and he’ll do a great job. I’ve a huge amount of respect for Ken as a person and I’m sure he’ll be popular with the players.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve, has an outstanding rugby intellect and he relates well with people. I’m sure he’ll be a popular choice with the players.

“There is depth behind Ken in his position and part of the challenge for us is creating as much depth as possible through the Six Nations and into the World Cup in France.”

There are 14 players in the squad who have yet to play for Wales under Gatland, as well as a dozen thirty-somethings. Alun Wyn Jones leads the way as the elder statesman at 37, and with 155 Welsh caps, while the total number of caps between the 12 experienced players is 1018.

The younger set have 428 caps between them, maybe giving a clue as to why Gatland wanted to have an old hand at the helm. For him, there is nothing like experience and caps in your cupboard when picking a side.

Teddy Williams, son of the former Cardiff and Wales back row man Owain Williams, comes into the squad for the first time to join the Exeter second row double act of Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza, who have four caps between them, and the uncapped and highly rated Rhys Davies.

Cardiff’s Mason Grady and Ospreys Keiron Williams – “he reminds me of Scott Gibbs” said Gatland – are two more uncapped players in the centre.

Wales kick off their Six  Nations campaign with a home game against the top team in the world rankings, Ireland, but ultra-competitor that he is, Gatland can’t wait to meet that challenge head on.

"The Six Nations has always been important for us, it’s when points are at stake. Sometimes, the autumn can be a free shot, but you don’t get a free shot in the Six Nations,” he added.

“It’s a competition you want to win. Ireland at home is tough, but it’s a great game for us – a sold out stadium in which the Welsh fans will be bouncing.

“It’s something we can look forward to. Ireland is the number one team in the world and it’s going to be a challenge for us, but we will go into the Six Nations with a huge amount of expectation from the Welsh public.

“We’ve fared extremely well over the last 20 years and I’m excited about it. I wouldn’t be doing this job if I didn’t think we could win it.”