Ken Owens

Ken Owens, the man affectionately known as the ‘Sheriff ‘, is Wales’ most capped hooker having overtaken Garin Jenkins previous record mark. He was picked up by the Scarlets Academy in 2004, but didn’t burst onto the regional scene until the 2006/07 season.

He figured prominently for Wales at Under 21 level and also played for Carmarthen Athletic and Cardiff Met (Uwic at the time) before making his mark at regional level. The former Ysgol Bro Myrddin pupil then earned his first call-up to the Wales senior squad in 2010. He went to the 2011 Rugby World Cup as an uncapped player and made his international debut as a second half replacement in the 81-7 win over Namibia.

His first start for Wales came in the 2012 6 Nations against England at Twickenham as he helped Warren Gatland’s side secure the Triple Crown. He featured in four of the games in what proved to be a Grand Slam campaign and he came on in all five games as Wales retained their title in 2013. Eight of his first 39 caps came off the bench as he served his international apprenticeship and he reached 50 caps in the game against France in Paris in 2017.

Captain of the Scarlets from 2014-19, he was injured and missed the Guinness PRO12 final triumph over Munster in Dublin but led the side into the 2018 final against Leinster. He did, however, recover in time to take his place in the British & Irish Lions squad for the tour that summer to New Zealand. He came on as a replacement in two Tests and captained the side against the Blues.

He started four of the five games in the 2019 Grand Slam season and was named as the coach’s and fans’ ‘Player of the Season’ at the Scarlets in 2018/19 as he closed in on 250 games for the region.