Wales boss Warren Gatland has stressed the importance of supporting Rob Howley after the attack coach was sent home from the Rugby World Cup.
Howley has been relieved of his duties after becoming the centre of an investigation into an alleged breach of World Rugby’s betting guidelines.
Regulation six instructs that anyone involved in the sport – be it players, management, support staff or officials – are not allowed to gamble on the game.
If found to have breached the rules, the maximum sanction that could be handed down is a lifetime ban from the sport.
The timing of the allegations, coupled with their nature, have made things particularly distressing for Howley himself, who has returned to the UK.
It’s a sad end to his 11-year partnership with Gatland as both move on after the World Cup in Japan.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Wales group opener against Georgia, Gatland was keen to draw a line under the saga.
"Alun Wyn made a good comment to everyone – these things happen, you lose players, the wheel keeps turning and you have to move on," he said.
"It’s been tough but you have to draw a line in the sand, concentrate on what your job and your role is.
"A number of players and staff have reached out to Rob – the biggest thing we can do is offer him as much support as we can. We can’t change what has happened but it is important we do provide support. That’s important.
"There are a lot of good people out there who have reached out to offer him support. That is pleasing.
"We can’t keep referring back to that, that’s done. We can’t change what has happened, we have to really focus on the next couple of days and hopefully things go well on Monday, and then we build up to Australia."
Former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones, who has flown out to replace Howley, linked up with the squad in Toyota City earlier this week.
He has taken part in training in the build-up to Monday but won’t have time to influence the game-plan for that match.
