‘Cannonball Ken’ finds form for Wales and makes his case for Lions tour
Whatever else Wales can boast from this Six Nations, the camp believes it has unearthed the British and Irish Lions hooker. While England and Ireland will both be captained by players wearing the No2 shirt in Dublin tomorrow, Rob Howley thinks that Ken Owens – who wins his 50th cap in Paris – has convincingly stated his case.
Dylan Hartley and Rory Best were the favourites at the start of the championship, with Owens a huge outsider. But the Scarlet with the nickname “Cannonball Ken” has exploded into the reckoning with a succession of eye-catching performances, both with his dynamic ball-carrying and his errorfree throwing into the line-out.
“Ken is playing well, isn’t he?” Howley said. “He’s been outstanding and has certainly put his hand up for the end-of-season tours. He gives players confidence around him. He has a great opportunity [to make the Lions]. He just needs to concentrate on his process and what he needs to do against France.” Alun Wyn Jones, the second rower who is fancied to be Warren Gatland’s captain in New Zealand, also praised the 30-year-old. “Ken’s growth has been immeasurable over the past 18 months,” he said.
Owens’s contribution in Paris could be crucial as Wales go for a sixth successive win over France. Howley stressed the importance of this final match, as not only could Wales finish second in the championship, but, if Ireland were to lose, they could rise to fourth in the world rankings, just in time for the 2019 World Cup draw in May. “That is a large incentive,” Howley said.
Guy Novès has made one change to the XV who beat Italy in Rome, bringing in Sébastien Vahaamahina for Julien Le Devedec.