Will Rowlands announces Wales retirement

Wales and Racing 92 second-row Will Rowlands has announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 34.

The 41-cap international has made the announcement 30 minutes before Wales head coach Steve Tandy names the first squad of his tenure.

The decision brings to an end a five-year Test career, which saw the former Wasps lock named 2022 Welsh men’s player of the year.

A Welsh Rugby Union statement reads: “Wales second row Will Rowlands has announced his retirement from international rugby.

“Capped 41 times by Wales, Rowlands received his first call-up to the national squad by Wayne Pivac in January 2020. He made his Wales debut as a second half replacement the following month against France in the Six Nations championship.

“His wholehearted displays in the engine room were rewarded when he was named Wales Player of the Year in 2022 by the Welsh Rugby Writers Association.

“He was an ever-present in Matt Sherratt’s Guinness Six Nations squad earlier this year, featuring in all five matches of the campaign and finished with three tries next to his hame from his Test career.”

Tandy said: “Will has been an amazing servant for the game in Welsh rugby. He’s been an outstanding player and a great human being in the environment.

“Whoever’s spoken about Will said he added so much value to the national game, both on and off the pitch. Obviously, it’s disappointing for us to lose a player of that quality, but we’re totally understanding around his circumstance and wish him all the best for his future.”