Welsh hooker Ken Owens has retired from professional rugby due to injury, the former Wales captain announced on Wednesday. Owens made 91 appearances for his country after making his debut in 2011. He won four Six Nations championships, including two Grand Slams, and played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions. "Not playing has "It 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 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 renewed back problems. “If the decision had been in my hands there would have been one more game for Wales, for the Scarlets and ultimately one last game for Carmarthen Athletic,” Owens said.