In a hammer blow to Wales, lock Will Rowlands has announced his retirement from international rugby on the day of Steve Tandy naming his squad for the Autumn Nations Series.<\/p>\n
The 41-Test cap second-rower\u2019s retirement was confirmed in a brief statement by the Welsh Rugby Union on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Rowlands made his Test debut during the 2020 Six Nations under the tutelage of Wayne Pivac as a second-half replacement against France.<\/p>\n
In 2022, his displays in the engine room were rewarded when he was named Wales<\/a> Player of the Year 2022 by the Welsh Rugby Writers Association.<\/p>\n Will Rowlands retires from Test rugby<\/p>\n Earlier this year, he featured in all five of Wales\u2019 Six Nations matches but did not play the July internationals.<\/p>\n \u201cWill<\/a> has been an amazing servant for the game in Welsh rugby. He\u2019s been an outstanding player and a great human being in the environment,\u201d head coach Tandy<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoever\u2019s spoken about Will said he added so much value to the national game, both on and off the pitch. Obviously, it\u2019s disappointing for us to lose a player of that quality, but we\u2019re totally understanding around his circumstances and wish him all the best for his future.\u201d<\/p>\n The Racing 92 lock was also part of the 2021 Six Nations-winning squad and represented his country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.<\/p>\n \u2018At least 10 stars\u2019 sign up to R360 as one country provides hope to rebel league amid cross-code backlash<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \ud83d\udde3 Head coach Steve Tandy on Will Rowlands following his decision to retire from international rugby today \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n Diolch am popeth Will \ud83d\udc4f#CymruAmByth<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TKvngA1krc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Welsh Rugby Union \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Rowlands started his professional rugby career at Wasps in 2013 and played over 100 times for the side before its demise, then signed for Welsh outfit, the Dragons.<\/p>\n In 2023, he joined Top 14 giants Racing 92, who he will continue to represent as he steps aside from international rugby.<\/p>\n His announcement is a major blow to Wales\u2019 preparations for the November internationals against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Louis Rees-Zammit reveals Taylor Swift message which preceded sudden Chiefs axing as Wales star rekindles \u2018love\u2019 for rugby<\/a><\/p>\n