Rowland's initial weight loss came during the Covid lockdown. Unable to dislodge the likes of Yann Thomas and Jake Woolmore in the first team, he had been released by Bristol.

Without access to weights, but with a desire to keep fit, he started running every day.

When restrictions eased and he met up with friends again, Rowland's body shape had changed so dramatically, they thought he was ill.

Rowland felt the opposite.

"The weight just flew off me and I felt so much better," he says. "I had more energy - I did have to sell my whole wardrobe though and buy new clothes!"

In 2021, he moved to a new country as well, taking advantage of the New Zealand passport he has through his mother.

In a different hemisphere, things turned upside-down.

Where once he was piling on pounds any which way he could, now he has to be mindful of passing a weigh-in a couple of hours before matches.

Some players will, like boxers, shed weight in saunas the night before, tip the scales and then wolf down carbohydrate-heavy food in the dressing room.

Cramps can creep up on those who misjudge their pre-match routine.

When the New Zealand under-85kg team play their first match, it won't be an issue though. At least not for Rowland and his Small Blacks team-mates.

Their two matches against the full Sri Lanka national team (ranked 40th in the world) in Kandy and Colombo are being played at a catchweight.

A cap of 105kg (16st 7lb) has been applied to ensure there isn't a dangerous discrepancy between the hosts and tourists.

"It will be interesting to see if we'll be able to kind of hold our own, obviously being a bit lighter than that," says Rowland.

Weight-restricted rugby's potential for growth may be mostly at the grassroots level, retaining players who feel that, while rugby is a game for all sizes, they would prefer a format with more evenly matched physiques.

"There would be definitely a pocket of players who would really kind of enjoy this grade of rugby. I think it's only going to be good for the game, and keep people playing," says Rowland.

"I think it's an idea that would go pretty well in Europe as well."

If it does, there are long-term hopes of staging a weight-restricted World Cup.

Rowland, who watched former team-mate Smith in action at Eden Park against the All Blacks in July, could, in theory, have a black-and-white decision to make; whether to turn out for England or New Zealand.

"Tough, tough question," he smiles.

Probably still not as tough as that sixth meal of the day though.