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Owens bursting at seams

Owens bursting at seams

Wales reserve hooker Ken Owens is determined to be ready for action as he inches closer to his lifelong dream of winning his first cap for his country.

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He has been named on the bench against Namibia in New Plymouth for the Pool D encounter in Rugby World Cup 2011.

Owens has been on the bench for Wales once before in an RBS 6  Nations game against France but did not get the call and is still waiting to get his hands on the cap he cherishes. He has just returned to action after a long injury recovery and is now fighting fit for action.

The Scarlets hooker said: “Winning a cap for Wales is something I have been looking forward to for virtually all my life. I am now just excited about the day ahead because I know how hard the whole squad has worked in preparation.

“I have been on the bench for Wales before and I know what it is like to get that far and not get on. Of course I wish Lloyd Burns all the very best for a great game but reserves are used for a variety of reasons and I would be delighted if I get my chance.”

The Scarlet said the Welsh camp would be treating Namibia as serious opposition who are capable of playing high quality rugby.

“They’ve got some very good players including their captain Jacques Burger who was player of the season for a very good Saracens team.

“We have prepared for this match in exactly the same way as we have prepared for the other pool games and we know what we have got to do.

“The boys have set a high standard in this tournament and through the Six Nations so we all know that whoever steps into the team has to raise the bar and fit in.

“We can’t let Namibia get into their game and we have to focus on playing our own game well.

“The past few months have been very long ones for me as I came back from injury and now I really want to prove to people what I can do.”

If Owens does get on, he won’t however be the first member of his family to earn a Welsh cap. He was at Pandy Park when his sister Vicki came on as a replacement in last season’s Six Nations championship to earn her first cap for Wales.

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