The Wales star from the English birthplace of rugby who is confounding public school perceptions

Will Rowlands may be a product of the historic birthplace of English rugby, but he insists it was only ever going to be Wales for him.

The Dragons second row attended Rugby School, the seat of learning where William Webb Ellis famously picked up the ball and ran with it during a football match in 1823, creating a new sport.

Hammersmith-born Rowlands then went on to study at Oxford University before spending seven years with Wasps.

So he was English-born, raised and schooled.

But he was always very much aware of his Welsh family roots, with his father Jeremy hailing from Pontllanfraith.

So, as he is set to run out in the red of Wales at Twickenham for the first time, he is quick to stress there was no identity crisis when it came to the country he wanted to play for.

“All the rugby in my background is from the Welsh side of my family – my parents and my grandparents,” he told S4C ahead of the Six Nations clash with England.

“That was always made apparent to me growing up, even though I was raised outside of Wales.

“In the past, I looked at Wales-England games – and all the rivalry – and it was always one I wanted to play in.

“I know a lot of the guys who will be involved and I’ve known them for years.

“The chance to play against a good mate of mine like Joe Launchbury would be fun.”

Rowlands admits his educational background does make him somewhat nervous that people might have a particular perception about him.

“There is a stereotype around people who went to public schools in England, that it gives people an air of entitlement in life,” said the 30-year-old.

“But that’s not something I have. The school I went to certainly produced grounded, well-rounded individuals. It wasn’t elitist, like some all-boys public schools