Back injury forces Wales hooker Owens into retirement

Owens, capped 91 times by Wales, has not played since appearing for the Llanelli-based Scarlets in last season's Challenge Cup semi-final against Glasgow Warriors. The 37-year-old had surgery last July on a bulging disc pressing upon a nerve in his back and withdrew from Wales' squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. There had been hopes Owens, a former Wales captain, would return to action. But he was unable to recover and Owens, Wales' most-capped hooker, has now decided to call time on...