Will Rowlands: WRU's Nigel Walker in dispute with Dragons over Wales lock's contract

Rowlands is out of contract at the end of 2022-23 season. He has been linked with Bath and Racing 92. Nigel Walker, WRU's performance director, claims he was offered a contract extension last summer. The offer was rejected. There is a current freeze on contract signings and recruitment. Dragons coach Flanagan hopes the financial issues can be resolved before leading players start to settle on their futures elsewhere. Dragons are in South Africa. They play Stormers on Saturday. On 10 December, they play Lions in their European Challenge Cup opener.

Flanagan wants to build a reputation in Welsh rugby as a team that does things right all the time. He has empathy for players who are injured. Flanagan hopes Leon Brown and Ashton Hewitt will soon return to action. Hewit underwent ankle surgery in September after just returning from 18 months out with a knee injury. Leon is nine weeks post-op and may not play this weekend.