Wales legend Ken Owens ‘lost for words’ as he calls time on his illustrious career

Wales’ most capped hooker Ken Owens has today announced his retirement from professional rugby.

The 37-year-old last played in April 2023 but has been unable to recover from a back injury that saw him miss the Rugby World Cup, having skippered Wales during the Six Nations.

A rarity in the modern game, Owens retires a one-club legend, having played 274 times for the Scarlets in a career that spanned over two decades.

Ken Owens retires

“Had I written the script, there would have been one more game for Wales, for the Scarlets and ultimately Carmarthen Athletic,” Owens said in a Welsh Rugby statement confirming his retirement.

“A chance to sign off and thank everyone involved. It was not to be. It might not be the dream ending but my career has been more than I could have dreamt of.

“Whilst part of me wishes I could have done more, I am well aware that if you had told me as a kid I would be fortunate enough to experience what I have, to have worked with and played with the people I have and taken the pleasure I have from this amazing game, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

The man fondly known as the Sheriff of Carmarthen joined Scarlets’ Academy in 2004. He made his debut for the side in 2006 and was named captain for the 2014/15 season.

He held the position of captain of the region for seven straight seasons, breaking the record held by club legend Phil Bennett.

Owens made his Test debut for Wales against Namibia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and would represent his country in the following two tournaments in 2015 and 2019.

During the 2023 Six Nations, Owens captained Wales and notched up his 91st Test cap for his country against France in March – his final international match for Wales.

He was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017 and captained the invitational team against the Blues.

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“Thank you”

He played in two of the Test matches against the All Blacks and was selected for the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa, where he featured in all three Tests against the Springboks.

“There are countless people I would like to thank. My mother and father have supported me from the minute I first played. My sister Victoria was capped before me so even though the novelty had worn off, they still managed to encourage me on my journey,” Owens said.

“My club, Carmarthen Athletic, gave me so much. A brilliant introduction to rugby and friends for life. I can never thank the people there adequately.

“To have played 91 times for Wales is an honour I can never fully describe. To be a Lion… lost for words.

“My wife has been unbelievable, diolch Carys, permanently keeping my feet on the ground! To my boys, Efan and Talfan, thank you for completing my family.

“My coaches. The support staff. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”

The hooker added: “In Welsh there is a concept – y Filltir Sgwar- that means you are shaped by and represent where you are from. Where I am from means so much to me and to see that same feeling in the faces of supporters, for club and country, have been a genuine privilege. Thank you all.

“I will take some time to reflect and decide what to do next. If I can give back to my community and the game a fraction of what it has given me I will be a very proud man.”

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