Israel Folau could still be paid by Rugby Australia despite having his contract ended because of a social media post in which he said “hell awaits” gay people, says former Wallaby Pat Howard.

Radio NZ reprots, Folau’s future will be decided on 4 May at a hearing requested by the 30-year-old full-back following his dismissal.

It will be heard behind closed doors in Sydney by a three-member panel.

Howard is an experienced sports administrator who left his position as the high-performance manager of Cricket Australia in November following another high-profile sporting controversy in the country – the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March 2018.