Welsh rugby’s captain-turned-powerbroker Ken Owens is able to put their contractual chaos behind them and restore some satisfaction as wounded England roll into Cardiff this weekend
- Wales gamers reached a compromise with WRU bosses after threatening a strike
- The Six Nations conflict between Wales and England had been underneath critical risk
- Ken Owens, the Wales captain, says it’s now time to deal with the duty at hand
After a exceptional week through which he has performed each Wales captain and Welsh rugby powerbroker, it was no shock Ken Owens seemed drained on the eve of dealing with England.
‘Don’t you are concerned about me,’ mentioned Owens, his voice hoarse. ‘I’m superb.’
The 36-year-old admitted the final seven days or so has been essentially the most exceptional interval of his lengthy profession after he and his Wales gamers threatened to strike for the England recreation earlier than an settlement was reached on a collection of contractual disputes with their Welsh rugby bosses.
‘Hopefully we are going to by no means find yourself on this scenario once more,’ mentioned Owens. ‘The largest constructive we are able to take from all that is how united the gamers have been and the way strongly we’ve backed one another.
‘Plenty of us senior gamers in Welsh rugby have skilled this earlier than.
Ken Owens says it is time for Wales to place their contractual chaos behind them in opposition to England
‘It has positively galvanised us and that has proven within the unity of the actions that have been taken.’
After a tumultuous interval that should rank as considered one of Welsh rugby’s largest ever crises, Owens and his staff now should by some means flip their attentions to the on-field motion.
Warren Gatland’s aspect have been hammered by Eire and Scotland within the first two rounds of the Six Nations after which the strike risk utterly overshadowed the build-up to the England recreation. ‘We’re most likely disillusioned it obtained to the stage it did however as gamers we would have liked to do it as a result of there’s a lot uncertainty within the recreation,’ mentioned Owens.
‘But it surely was put to mattress on Wednesday and what’s executed is finished. Now we have to deal with the rugby.’
Wales flanker Justin Tipuric sat out Friday’s captain’s run session to handle his coaching load however will nonetheless begin in opposition to England.
Wales gamers have been engaged in talks with the nation’s governing physique, the WRU, led by chief govt Nigel Walker (pictured)
They may emerge right into a cacophony of noise in Cardiff on Saturday after a tumultuous week
‘We’d like a win to get the satisfaction again within the shirt after two defeats,’ mentioned Owens, who revealed that he agreed along with his head coach Gatland that previous Welsh successes had papered over the cracks of the nation’s earlier rugby issues. ‘It’s attempting to complete this saga on a constructive.
‘We’ve got had a whole lot of disaster in Welsh rugby during the last 10 or 12 years at completely different factors and it has virtually been the nationwide squad that has delivered to cowl them.
‘If the nationwide squad weren’t successful, this may most likely have come to a head loads sooner.’
