The 35-year Owens last played for the Scarlets in October 2021 before a back injury forced him to pull out of the Wales squad for the Autumn Nations Series. His last game for the Quins was 12 years ago against Llanelli. One man who is still in the Quins squad and who lined-up alongside him in that game is lock Haydn Pugh, although he is missing from the home clash with Swansea this weekend after undergoing surgery for a detached pectoral muscle.
“Ken came down to training this week and made a huge impression and impact. There will be a few extra bums on seats at Carmarthen Park to watch him at the weekend, which is great for the club,” said Pugh.
“I was in the Scarlets Academy with Ken many years ago and actually played in his last game for the Quins at Parc Y Scarlets in 2010. He looked in fantastic shape and the boys simply can’t wait to play with him.
“Our outside half, Luke Davies, is still only a teenager and has joined us from Llangennech. Lucca Setaro, on the bench, is also only 19 and they’ve both just been added to the Wales U20 training squad.
“But for them to get the chance to play in the same side as a legendary player like Ken is going to be awesome for them. This is what is so good about the Premiership – it provides aspring youngsters with a place to learn their trade and a world class star like Ken a chance to work his way back to the top.”
It will be Owens fourth run out for the Quins in his career, which started at Carmarthen Athletic, and the end goal is to regain full fitness to push for a fourth World Cup next year. The Scarlets hooker and former captain has won 82 caps for Wales and played in three Tests for the Lions on their last two tours.
He may be 36 in January, be he still believes there is more to come from him for club and country before he finally hangs up his boots. Cameron Jones, Garan Williams and Ellis Fackrell, the Swansea front row today, you have been warned!
