Wales lock Will Rowlands has revealed that he will not be in action during next year’s Six Nations due to a shoulder injury which he sustained while on Test duty last month.
The 31-year-old, who was forced off the field during Wales’ clash with Argentina in Cardiff on November 12, had an operation and is set to return to action for his club, the Dragons, in April.
“The shoulder is ok, It is frustrating but it is just slow and steady [on his recovery],” Rowlands told the BBC’s Scrum V Live programme.
“Hopefully I will be involved back in rugby in April time.”
Wales‘ Six Nations campaign starts against Ireland in Cardiff on February 4 and their last match is against France in Paris on March 18.
Set to leave the Dragons
The Dragons confirmed earlier this month that the 31-year-old will leave the club at the end of the current season. The 23-cap international joined the Dragons from former Premiership outfit Wasps ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and has made 16 appearances for the Welsh region since.
The Dragons stated that Rowlands ‘has agreed terms with a club outside of Wales for the 23/24 season’, with Top 14 club Racing 92 widely believed to be his next destination.
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If he does join the French side, Rowlands will be unavailable to play for his country under the Welsh Rugby Union’s current selection policy which states that players playing their domestic club rugby outside Wales need to have made 60 Test appearances to remain eligible for national selection.
Rowlands has been one of Wales’ star performers over the past 12 months and his impressive form was rewarded in June when he was named Wales’ Player of the Year by the Welsh Rugby Writers Association.