By David Parsons
Will Rowlands insists the bell has rung and “school time is over” for Warren Gatland’s Wales squad.
The 33-year-old Racing 92 giant is back in the Welsh fold after taking a summer off and missing the three Test defeats against the Springboks and Wallabies (twice) that took the current international losing streak up to nine.
Will Rowlands insists Wales are ready to prove they have learned the lessons of one of their toughest ever years #BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/aNjUpRNz6B
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) November 4, 2024
Gatland has always been clear that after seeing the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Ken Owens depart the international stage over the past 18 months he had to build a new squad in preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
Fresh young faces have been emerging, but the new kids on the block have had to learn the hard way, especially with senior players like Rowlands, Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams sitting out the summer tour.
“I’m 100 per cent confident we can break the nine game losing streak. We’ve spoken about it already in this camp,” said Rowlands.
“Since the World Cup it has been a different period for Wales with the experienced players we’ve lost, and the younger players who have come in to gain experience. Coaches have been brilliant in changing mindsets and 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 1 in this camp. School time is over, I guess.
“I’ve come back into this camp really enthused and positive and that is a reflection of the environment. I’ve felt in training already that there is a hard edge underneath – the guys are aware of the challenge that lies ahead of us and it is ‘go time’.”
Will Rowlands Says He’s a Better Player For Swapping Regional Rugby For Top 14
The 6’ 8” tall near 20 stone lock has been playing regularly for Racing this season and is loving the physical and mental challenge presented by the Top 14.
Now he is ready to take head on the Fijians, Australians and South Africans in the Autumn Nations Series.
That will begin with a clash against Fiji at Principality Stadium on Sunday 10 November when Rowlands hopes to add to his 33 caps to date.
“In France, every team seems to have four or five Fijian doing awesome stuff. When we payed them at the World Cup in Bordeaux it was a tough and challenging game to play in,” said Rowlands.
“I’d love to have the same result, but not another game like that one was. Hopefully, we can have a more comfortable performance from us.
“Playing teams like Fiji can be the toughest games you can have because they are full of freak athletes.
“They love to play a fast and loose game and there can be periods where you are just chasing shadows or getting run over by someone.”
Will Rowlands Insists Wales Have Only Done The Bare Minimum So Far
