Owen: We’re no cannon fodder

Wales have been criticised in some quarters for leaving a selection of players at home for summer training, but Owen, who arrived in camp today (Monday) from the Dragons’ Heineken Cup play-off match, is adamant the squad that has made the trip ‘down under’ has the quality, experience and expertise to silence doubters.

“We will be going flat out against the Wallabies as we all want to prove we deserve a place in that World Cup squad,” said Owen. “We will hold nothing back, we’ve not come here to be cannon fodder to Australia, we will give it everything and find out everything we can about them.

“Then, when we play them in Cardiff in the World Cup, we will be looking to offer something different again.

“There’s no way we will be keeping anything in the locker, it’s much better to lay down a marker now and then come up with new stuff before we next meet. Trying to be too cute about it and giving nothing away would just come back to bite us – we’re here to compete and we are confident.”

Owen was joined by fellow Dragons Colin Charvis, Ceri Sweeney and Jamie Corsi on the flight from Gatwick via Bangkok and Dubai which arrived in Terrigal this morning. Bath scrum half Andy Williams arrives tomorrow.

“We got straight into Australian time when we arrived at the airport in London and had a good flight over,” said Owen. “We’ll stretch off today and will be ready and raring to go by the time the next training session of the week comes around.

“For me personally this is my chance to show the new coaches what I can do. I’ve got 34 caps under my belt so I’m confident I’ve got something to offer at this level.

“I had a shoulder operation at the start of the season and wasn’t involved in the Six Nations, so I’ve been targetting this tour as my chance to come back. The competition for places we have in the back row and second row is right up there, but I just need to back myself and hope the coaches like what they see if I get a chance.

“Australia is a great country to play rugby in, the pitches are top notch and the weather conditions are perfect. I’ve been really looking forward to it ever since I found out I wouldn’t be involved in the squad for the Six Nations and realised this would be where I’d get my chance.”