Playing Career
Rowlands was born in Brithdir, Bridgend, the son of a Glamorgan Constabulary Police Inspector. After attending Cowbridge Grammar School, on his father's transfer to Aberdare, Rowlands entered the second year at Aberdare Boys' Grammar School and went on to captain both the rugby (1953–54) and cricket teams (1954 and 1955). He won a Welsh Secondary School Cap in 1955, playing against England at Cardiff. He graduated from University of London and served National Service with the 1st Battalion of The Welch Regiment from 1958 to 1960.
Rowlands played for Aberaman and then London Welsh. He transferred to Llanelli for one season in 1958, before Cardiff signed him in September 1961. He played 147 games for the Welsh capital side until 1967.
In March 1962 he gained his first of five caps for Wales when he played in the winning side which beat France. He made his debut for the Barbarians at Leicester in March, 1962, later captaining the side in 1966. Rowlands represented the British and Irish Lions on 19 occasions, including all three tests in the 1962 Tour of South Africa, where he scored a try in the final international. He also played in the non-cap Lions match with Kenya.
He played his last rugby for Newport RFC in 1973/74.
Read more about this topic: Keith Rowlands
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