By Le Figaro with Reuters
Published 4 hours ago, Updated now
Ken Owens, 91 caps with Leek. Panoramic
Too often injured, the XV du Poireau player, the most capped hooker on the international scene (91 caps), announced his retirement from sports this Wednesday.
Welsh hooker Ken Owens has retired from professional rugby due to injury, the former Wales captain announced on Wednesday. Owens has made 91 appearances (world record for a hooker) for his country after making his debut in 2011. He has won four Six Nations Tournaments, including two Grand Slams (2012 and 2021, wins in 2013 and 2021), and has played five tests for the British & Irish Lions. “Not playing has been a challenge, but the time has come to follow medical advice and end the career that has given me so much and retire from rugby”Owens told the channel S4C.
Owens missed the 2022 Six Nations with a back injury and was selected as captain when he returned for the 2023 Championship, but the 37-year-old missed the Rugby World Cup last year due to new back problems. “If the decision had been in my hands there would have been one more match for Wales, for the Scarlets and finally one last match for Carmarthen Athletic”Owens said.
Owens’ departure marks the end of a Welsh generation, after those of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny and George North. Still in transition, Wales finished last in the 2024 Tournament.
