Owens feared for Lions place after injury
KEN Owens has revealed the “massive worry” when he feared an ankle problem would rule him out of the British Lions’ tour of New Zealand.
The Wales hooker has recovered from the injury that forced him out of the Scarlets’ Guinness PRO12 play-off success - and will now captain the Lions in tomorrow’s Eden Park clash with Auckland Blues.
The Lions will field an entirely-new starting XV for the second match of their 10-game tour, in bidding to sharpen up after a lacklustre 13-7 opening win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.
Asked if he feared his ankle injury could have ended his tour before it had begun, Owens said: “It was a massive worry.
“I had a nervous 72 hours initially icing my foot, and resting it up.
“And then after that, it’s because of the coaches and physical staff that I was able to rehab and get on the tour.
“The work the physios have done has been incredible. I’m very thankful to be on the tour.
“It’s unbelievable to be asked to be captain. It was a bit of a shock, but a huge honour. “And I didn’t take long to say yes. “Hopefully we can put in the massive performance in that the Lions shirt deserves.
“I think there’s some aspects we need to improve from Saturday, but there’s a lot of positives we took.”
Sale Sharks’ Denny Solomona is set to make his England debut against Argentina in San Juan on Saturday.