The giant 33-year-old Racing 92 lock sat out the summer matches against South Africa and Australia to recharge his batteries after ‘a long year’ and can’t wait to add his weight and experience to the Welsh pack for the games against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.
Having beaten all three teams in his 33-cap career to date he wants to help break the current record and get Wales back to winning ways this month.
“It has been great to come back into the Welsh camp. I was confident in the decision I made after speaking to Warren to have a summer off,” said Rowlands.
“After the World Cup camps, a huge focus on the World Cup and then playing and travelling a lot for Racing in the Top 14, as well as the arrival of my first daughter, it was the right thing both physically and mentally for me after a long year.
“I was able to switch off in the summer, but I’m really excited to be back in this environment. I’ve missed the way that Wales train, although two warm-ups and double sessions can be a killer.
“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’.”
Rowlands has returned to the international fold along with fellow second row Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, World Cup co-captain Jac Morgan and half backs Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe. They all missed the summer games.
“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.”
