DRAGONS lock Will Rowlands has been released from the Wales squad for the autumn finale against Australia.

The 30-year-old suffered a head injury in Sunday’s win against Fiji and will not be fit to face the Wallabies on Saturday evening.

Rowlands has been released from Wales camp and will follow return to play protocols ahead of the Dragons’ return to United Rugby Championship action.

Dean Ryan’s men welcome Edinburgh to Rodney Parade on Saturday, November 27 before travelling to Glasgow.

Those fixtures are followed by the start of the European Challenge Cup campaign against Perpignan and Lyon before the festive derbies.

South Wales Argus: BLOW: Wales will be without Dragons lock Will RowlandsBLOW: Wales will be without Dragons lock Will Rowlands

The loss of Rowlands is a blow to Wales after he featured as a first-half replacement for Alun Wyn Jones against the New Zealand and then started against South Africa and the Flying Fijians, taking his tally of caps to 12.

Wayne Pivac must now mull over a new partner for Adam Beard against the Wallabies with Dragons lock Ben Carter an option along with fellow Test novices Christ Tshiunza and Rhys Davies, while Seb Davies is a more experienced candidate despite being used as back row cover so far this campaign.

Scarlets tighthead prop WillGriff John has also been released after suffering a head injury in the opening minutes against Fiji.

Wales hope that Tomas Francis will be passed fit to join Dillon Lewis in the squad to face Australia, with loosehead Wyn Jones their other option on the right-hand side of the front row.

Dragons tighthead Leon Brown is yet to feature this season because of a nerve problem after an summer stinger while the Scarlets’ Samson Lee has a back injury.

Four players from Rodney Parade could be named in the matchday squad when it is named at midday on Thursday with Aaron Wainwright aiming to recover from a shoulder injury to join Taine Basham in the back row.

Hooker Elliot Dee proved his fitness for the Dragons A against the Scarlets last week to earn a recall to the squad while 20-year-old Carter will hope to be included after missing out against Fiji.

Rowlands is the second member of Dean Ryan’s squad to suffer an injury on Wales duty with blindside Ross Moriarty on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery after a blow against the All Blacks.