Wales camp won't be disrupted by Rob Howley exit, says Robin McBryde

Sent home: Rob Howley
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Simon Collings @sr_collings19 September 2019

Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde is confident Rob Howley’s pre-World Cup departure will not derail the side’s tournament ambitions.

Howley was sent home from Japan on Wednesday amid an investigation into potential betting breaches, breaking the news to his fellow coaches in person before leaving.

McBryde said: “The intensity of our training session yesterday was the best it has ever been. There was a bit of a feeling of circling the wagons and not allowing anything to affect the environment. There’s a duty that we need to fulfil. The preparations have gone well up to date. It’s important we start with a bang.”

Howley and McBryde have long been part of the Welsh coaching set-up under ­Warren Gatland and before that they were international teammates.

Former hooker McBryde said of the Howley affair: “It’s unfortunate that he has to go through this. He’s been a great servant. He’s a good man and a good friend. It’s sad to see someone have to go through it. He was keen to break the news to the other coaches rather than us finding out second hand. He did that.”

Wales’ World Cup ambitions get under way with an opening pool match against Georgia and McBryde cannot wait to get going.

“We need to start talking about rugby again,” said McBryde. “The sooner the first game starts, then there is a full weekend of rugby. That will get the ball rolling, and then the days and weeks will pass by.”

Howley’s place in the coaching set-up will be taken by former fly-half Stephen Jones.

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