Former Wales coach Rob Howley has been appointed as the Canada national team's assistant coach.
As well as assisting former Wales international Kingsley Jones with the senior team through to the 2023 World Cup, Howley will also work as a consultant with the Toronto Arrows for the 2021 Major League Rugby season.
The job marks Howley's first foray into rugby since he was banned for betting on matches.
Those misdemeanours brought his 11-year spell as Warren Gatland's assistant to an ignominious end as he was sent home from last year's World Cup before the tournament had even begun.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Rugby Canada and begin working alongside Kingsley Jones and the other Canadian coaches,” said Howley.
“I’m excited to get to work and help prepare Canada for Rugby 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 is very similar to my past experience coaching in Wales.”
Howley has spoken candidly about his gambling problems earlier this year as he sought to get back into coaching - having been linked with vacancies at Gloucester and Italy.
A number of pundits including Jeremy Guscott have also encouraged Gatland to take Howley on next year's Lions tour.
Speaking about the appointment of Howley, Canada coach 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 program is a huge step forward for Canadian rugby. His experience and expertise will benefit not only our young players but our entire coaching staff.”
