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.
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