Dragons talisman facing a fitness race for a last hurrah at Judgement Day

SIDELINED: The Dragons hope that Will Rowlands can function earlier than leaving this summer time (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

THE Dragons hope Wales lock Will Rowlands can get pleasure from a Judgement Day farewell after the shoulder damage that has dominated him out of the Six Nations.

The 31-year-old is at present sidelined after a blow suffered enjoying towards Argentina in November and is concentrating on a return in April.

Rowlands has confirmed that he’s leaving the Dragons on the finish of this season – with a transfer to Racing 92 mooted – and he faces a race to play for the membership once more after surgical procedure.

“Hopefully I will probably be concerned again in rugby in April time,” Rowlands stated whereas working as a pundit for BBC Scrum V at his aspect’s Boxing Day derby loss to Cardiff.

Unless the Dragons make the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup, they’ve simply two video games in April – away to Ulster on Friday, April 14 and the Judgement Day conflict with the Scarlets at Principality Stadium.

Rowlands has performed 16 video games for the membership since arriving from Wasps in the summertime of 2021 and head coach Dai Flanagan hopes his captain can add to that tally.

Dragons lock Will Rowlands on the cost (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We’d like to see him in a Dragons jersey once more, even when it’s just for a send-off sport,” stated Flanagan.

“He has been nice since he has been right here and is without doubt one of the greatest if not the most effective second rows on the earth, so why not get him again for a sport?”

The Dragons are with out Rowlands and his fellow Wales worldwide Ben Carter, who is ready to be out till February due to an ankle damage.

George Nott made a welcome return from a finger damage towards Cardiff on Boxing Day and Flanagan is assured that he nonetheless has a robust second row.

“George was glorious in his first sport again, he ran the lineout and put strain on Cardiff whereas his work charge across the discipline was nice,” stated the pinnacle coach.

“He has been a top quality signing and the identical goes for Sean Lonsdale whereas we’ve additionally bought Joe Davies and Matthew Screech, plus Huw Taylor has been glorious when he has stepped ahead from the again row, so we’re high-quality in that space.

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“We’ve rotated the squad as a result of we want gamers to be comfy at this degree when they’re wanted. It’s a protracted season however these boys are rugby-ready.”

Dragons lock Will Rowlands has been a key determine for Wales (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Meanwhile, Rowlands hopes that the damage hasn’t ended his Wales profession regardless of opting to play for a membership out of the country.

The lock has been capped 23 instances so doesn’t have the required 60 to be eligible for Warren Gatland’s squad in World Cup yr.

Rowlands would wish both the WRU choice coverage to alter or for the skilled golf equipment and governing physique to permit particular dispensation.

“I would really like to have the ability to have an opportunity to have the ability to be picked to go to the World Cup,” stated Rowlands. “Hopefully I’ve left the door open for that.”

“The 60-cap rule needed to be a part of the consideration as a result of primarily leaving Wales now will imply I will not be capable of put my hand as much as be picked for Wales, which may be very unhappy.

“Playing for Wales means a number of the greatest experiences of my life for certain. But there may be extra to life, there are extra issues to go and expertise.”