Wales hooker Ken Owens announces retirement on medical advice

Wales and Scarlets hooker Ken Owens has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect on medical grounds.

Owens, who is the most capped hooker for Wales last played in April 2023 for Scarlets but was sidelined by a long-term back injury from which he could not recover.

The 37-year-old started his youth player at Carmarthen Athletic before joining the Llanelli Scarlets academy in 2004. He made his Scarlets debut in 2006 and has featured for them in 274 matches while captaining them to the Pro12 title in 2017 and a European Cup semi-final in 2018.

He made his Test debut for Wales during the 2011 Rugby World Cup and has 91 Test caps to his name. He also had represented Wales in three World Cups and captained them for the first time in the 2023 Six Nations. Owens also has played in five games for the British and Irish Lions that came during the 2017 and 2021 tours of New Zealand and South Africa respectively.

"Reluctantly, I am announcing my retirement from rugby. Not playing has been challenging, but the time is right to follow medical advice and hang up my boots," Owens said.

"Had I written the script there would have been one more game for Wales, for the Scarlets and ultimately Carmarthen Athletic. 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.

"My only professional club, the Scarlets, believed in me and I hope my loyalty over 19 years has repaid the faith you showed.

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