Once you mirror on who has been Wales’ finest participant within the Six Nations to this point, a couple of names spring to thoughts.
Nick Tompkins confirmed up very well within the opening three video games earlier than concussion dominated him out of the France match, whereas Taulupe Faletau has been again to his imperious finest at No 8 since returning to the facet for the outings towards England and the French.
You then’ve obtained Liam Williams who’s main the way in which within the Welsh ranks when it comes to carries and metres made.
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However while you take a look at the 4 matches total and think about who has been the decide of the bunch when it comes to their all-round performances, one title stands out above the remainder for me – Will Rowlands.
There was a heavy burden of duty on the shoulders of the 30-year-old Dragons lock going into this Championship marketing campaign.
He was entering into the boots of one of many true legends of Welsh rugby within the form of the injured Alun Wyn Jones.
With skilled duo Jake Ball and Cory Hill additionally out of the equation having headed to overseas fields, the second row cabinet was doubtlessly trying a bit naked.
However Rowlands has proved any such considerations to be unfounded along with his excellence over the previous month or so.
A fast take a look at his stats present simply what a contribution he has made.
He has performed 309 of the 320 minutes, working his socks off for each one among them.
Nobody within the Welsh crew has made extra tackles, along with his tally of 48 placing him fifth on the general desk.
He’s additionally second when it comes to carries by males in crimson, having made a formidable 203 metres from the 37 occasions he has trucked the ball up.
Then there have been the three steals he has pulled off on the lineout, the place he was significantly efficient towards France, disrupting a division that had been such an space of energy for them as much as that time.
So, all in all, it’s been a massively constructive show from the Hammersmith-born ahead and an actual breakthrough marketing campaign for him.
Up till this event, his caps had are available in suits and begins since he was drafted into the Welsh squad firstly of 2020, with his eligibility coming by way of his father Jeremy, who hails from Pontllanfraith.
Making his debut as a substitute towards France, he then earned his first begin within the rearranged Six Nations assembly with Scotland within the October of that Covid-impacted 12 months.
However come the 2021 Championship, he was solely to have the 2 outings off the bench, with Alun Wyn and Adam Beard firmly established because the first-choice pairing throughout the march to the title.
When Jones dislocated his shoulder towards New Zealand within the autumn opener, Rowlands obtained his likelihood, beginning the titanic tussle with South Africa, solely to overlook the victory over Australia after being concussed versus Fiji.
So a run within the facet has eluded him – till now.
Handed 4 successive begins he has responded and the way.
Athleticism, energy, tireless tackling, set-piece solidity, sheer arduous graft. It is all been there.
Dai Younger is somebody who is aware of the 6ft 8ins lock nicely, having given him his first likelihood in senior rugby with Wasps.
Having attended Rugby Faculty, Rowlands went on to check Economics and Administration at Pembroke School, Oxford, enjoying within the Varsity matches of 2012 and 2013 towards Cambridge.
His performances there caught the attention of Younger, who introduced him into the Wasps Academy, gave him a run-out initially within the Anglo-Welsh Cup after which handed him a primary crew contract in 2014.
Rowlands went on to turn out to be an more and more invaluable member of the squad on the Premiership membership, steadily rising in stature and affect, being named Gamers’ Participant of the Yr for the 2018-19 season.
Now again at Cardiff, Younger has watched on as his former cost has made his mark at worldwide degree.
“I’m actually happy for him, he’s an excellent child,” mentioned the ex-Wales and Lions prop.
“He’s a really humble man, however very critical in the case of his rugby.
“Will at all times wished to study, at all times wished to get higher.
“He’s naturally an enormous bloke, however he labored actually arduous within the health club to placed on 5 – 6 kgs of pure muscle, to place some actual physicality into his carries and his defence.
“He’s an clever man, very nicely mannered and he was good to work with.
“He would carry the ball actually strongly and put plenty of tackles in.
“His health ranges have been at all times wonderful. He was very cell, however an enormous man as nicely within the shut quarters. He’s excellent to have behind you in a scrum due to his measurement and he’s an excellent lineout ahead as nicely.
“However the greatest factor is he was at all times striving to get higher and higher. He was more than pleased to have a look at methods of enhancing his recreation.”
(Picture: Getty Photos)
The person who Rowlands now performs his membership rugby beneath is Dragons boss Dean Ryan, who introduced him on board from Wasps final summer season.
He’s been delighted along with his acquisition.
“I feel he has been implausible for us,” mentioned the previous England again rower.
“I knew what I assumed we have been getting, nevertheless it’s been nice to see it in Dragons colors.
“He’s turn out to be a catalyst for others to have the ability to work as arduous as he does and contribute as a lot as he does.
“Will is fairly reserved, fairly quiet, however he brings an enormous quantity of presence to the sport, positively by way of actions, but additionally a silent presence that brings folks collectively and offers alternative for different folks to talk.”
Ryan views the 19st 5lbs Rowlands as fairly a singular rugby participant.
“I’ve not seen many athletic locks that massive,” he mentioned.
“You typically get plenty of athletes round that 6ft 5ins, 6ft 6ins mark.
“Once you go above that, you are inclined to sacrifice a few of your athletic functionality, which matches with the scale.
“What Will brings is an unbelievable energy and work-rate to an enormous body and I feel that’s fairly distinctive.
“I don’t assume there are various round which are able to combining each.”
The 17-cap Rowlands is now demonstrating these distinctive attributes on a constant foundation at Take a look at degree.
Wanting again on the progress he has made this season, one is reminded of what Wales boss Wayne Pivac needed to say about him final summer season.
He identified how he’d performed just about each minute of each recreation at Wasps and would then come into the nationwide camp, the place it was full on when it comes to the depth of coaching and conditioning work.
Pivac admitted it had left Rowlands “working on fumes” and he predicted how the transfer to the Dragons would profit him when it comes to the way in which he could be managed.
“I feel we’ll see the most effective of Will when he’s had a great off season and a break,” mentioned the Kiwi coach.
“We anticipate him to make massive strides.”
Pivac’s prediction has proved to be spot on.
There may be, after all, the likelihood that Rowlands would possibly but lose his beginning spot for the ultimate Six Nations recreation towards Italy now that Alun Wyn is again match and accessible once more.
However that will be very harsh on him given the way in which he has carried out within the event thus far.
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