Will Rowlands Declares End of Developmental Phase for Wales Rugby

Will Rowlands is set to rejoin the Wales squad, having been absent from the summer tour to Australia. The Autumn Test Series match between Wales and Fiji will take place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, 10 November, with kick-off scheduled for 13:40 GMT. Live coverage will be available via commentary on Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, and BBC Sounds, alongside live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. According to Will Rowlands, Wales is prepared to demonstrate that they have assimilated the lessons from what has been one of their most challenging years to date. Wales has not secured a Test victory in 2024, having experienced defeats in their last nine international matches since their win against Georgia in the previous autumn’s World Cup. This challenging period has resulted in their exit from the World Cup, a Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations tournament, and their lowest ever position of 11th in the world rankings. Nevertheless, this period has also facilitated an unparalleled rebuilding phase led by Warren Gatland, following the departure of numerous key players. Throughout the current calendar year, Gatland has introduced 13 players who had not previously been capped, forming a team that has occasionally resembled a developmental rugby squad. Rowlands, who at 33 is the oldest forward within the 35-member squad, now states that Wales recognizes the necessity to advance their performance on the international stage. The lock asserted, “I’m 100% confident we can break this losing streak.” He further explained, “Since the World Cup it has been a different period for Wales – the experienced players we’ve lost and the younger players who have come in. The coaches have been brilliant in creating an environment that is supportive, positive and welcoming to developing talent. But that has changed now. That was a necessary period, but now we are into the business of winning rugby matches. As a group, led by Gats, that was the message from day one in this camp. School time is over, I guess.” Rowlands added, “There’s already a hard edge in training. The guys are aware of the challenge that lies ahead of us and it’s go time.” Rowlands is expected to be a prominent figure among several seasoned players recalled by Gatland for the upcoming matches against Fiji, Australia, and South Africa this month. His absence from the summer tour was attributed to a demanding previous season, a transfer to Racing 92 in France, and the birth of his first child. He commented, “Missing the summer was the right thing both physically and mentally for me, but I’ve come back really enthused and positive and that is a reflection of the environment here.” Rowlands also stated, “In the last 12 months I have felt a slightly different expectation to have a bit more influence on the group. It has felt pretty natural and more enjoyable.” An alumnus of Oxford University, Rowlands entered Test rugby relatively late in 2019 at the age of 28, yet he quickly established himself as a key player for Gatland and has been lauded as “the next Alun Wyn Jones” by former Wales lock Ian Gough. Prior to receiving his initial professional contract at Wasps from former Wales captain Dai Young, Rowlands, a double varsity blue, appeared to be headed for a career in finance. Rowlands remarked, “I was ancient by comparison to a lot of the Welsh players who have come into the squad of late. I feel proud of my journey so far, but I’ve got more things I’d like to do before I can say I’ve made it or achieved everything I want to achieve.” Given that Jones competed in Test rugby until the age of 37, Rowlands, who was part of the Six Nations winning team in 2021, still has a considerable career ahead. Born in Hammersmith, London, Rowlands is eligible to represent Wales due to his father, who encouraged him to pursue his aspirations in rugby. He recounted, “It has all happened very gradually. It was a bit of a struggle in the first year. I didn’t play much rugby while my old uni friends were just starting off their careers and I wondered if I was just wasting my time. But my father told me to bide my time and see what happens. I’m glad that was the advice and the decision I took to stick it out. With luck, opportunity and a bit of ability, it has been a fantastic journey so far.”