The 33-year-old Racing 92 giant is back in the Welsh fold after taking a summer off and missing the three Test defeats against the Springboks and Wallabies (twice) that took the current international losing streak up to nine.
Gatland has always been clear that after seeing the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Ken Owens depart the international stage over the past 18 months he had to build a new squad in preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
Fresh young faces have been emerging, but the new kids on the block have had to learn the hard way, especially with senior players like Rowlands, Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams sitting out the summer tour.
This story is from the November 03, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 03, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.
