Wallabies captain Mowen to quit and head overseas

SYDNEY, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Australia captain Ben Mowen is to quit the country at the end of 2014 and play in Europe, ending his hopes of representing the Wallabies at the 2015 World Cup.

The 29-year-old loose forward only made his international debut last year before he was sensationally vaulted into the captaincy role by coach Ewen McKenzie as he shook up the team after replacing New Zealander Robbie Deans in July.

“While my desire to play for Australia is still extremely strong, my priority is to spend more time with my wife and our daughter,” Mowen said in an Australian Rugby Union statement.