Ken Owens: Former Wales captain recalls pain and politics

The programme travels with Owens to and from the Vale of Glamorgan hotel three days before Wales were due to host England in the 2023 Six Nations match.

Welsh professional players were holding talks with the Welsh Rugby Union representatives to decide if they would strike for the showpiece game in England because of an ongoing contractual dispute between the two parties.

“This is the worst moment I have ever witnessed in the Welsh game since I have been a professional player,” said Owens.

“I thought I had seen everything but it’s a shambles.”

The strike was averted with with interim WRU chief executive Walker and Owens hosting an outside press conference where the Wales captain admitted Wales were the laughing stock of world rugby.

Driving home, Owens said: “The game goes ahead but as it was first thing this morning, the game was off. It was very close towards the end.

“I would have been happy not to take the field against England with the other players. That’s how we feel.”

Gatland stated how Owens had to keep the squad together because of what he described as a significant split in terms of going on strike. Walker acknowledged the role Owens played in the crisis.

“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that if Ken were not the man he is, if he had not made the contribution he made, the threatened players strike against England may have happened,” said Walker.

“The Welsh rugby landscape would have looked completely different.”

While this was happening, wife Carys was pregnant and revealed Owens had been in hospital with her on the morning of the strike.