Michael Owen (rugby player)

Michael Owen (born 7 November 1980 in Pontypridd), is a former Welsh international rugby union player, who most often played Number 8, but was also versatile enough to play flanker or even lock. His ball handling was arguably his greatest asset.

Michael Owen
Owen takes a line-out
Birth nameMichael Owen
Date of birth (1980-11-07) 7 November 1980
Place of birthPontypridd, Wales
Height1.97 m (6 ft 5 1⁄2 in)
Weight109 kg (17.2 st)
SchoolBryn Celynnog
UniversityUniversity of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales)
Rugby union career
Position(s) No.8 / Flanker
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–2003
2003–2008
2008–2010		 Pontypridd
Dragons
Saracens		 103
98
23		 (?)
(45)
(5)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2010
2005		 Wales
British and Irish Lions		 41
1		 (10)
(0)

Club career

Having been educated at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School in Beddau,[1] Owen played for Pontypridd RFC from 1999 until in 2003 the side merged with Bridgend RFC to form the ill-fated Celtic Warriors and then played for the Newport Gwent Dragons in the Celtic League from 2003 until 2008.

Owen joined Guinness Premiership side Saracens for the 2008/2009 season after signing a two-year deal with the club.[2][3]

International career

Owen became the 1,000th player capped by Wales when he made his debut in the first Test against South Africa in June 2002.

He took over from the injured Gareth Thomas as Wales captain during the 2005 Six Nations, and became the 122nd Captain of his country when he led Wales out against Scotland and led Wales to its first Grand Slam in 27 years.

Owen was selected for the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 New Zealand tour. On 23 May in Cardiff, he had the honour of captaining the side for their match at Millennium Stadium against Argentina, the first Lions Test match to take place outside of the touring country. He temporarily returned home for the birth of his second child.

Post professional rugby career

In July 2010, Owen announced his retirement from the game at 29 due to a persistent knee problem and embarked on a two-year master's degree course in Business at the University of Hertfordshire.[4]

In March 2010 he began coaching at Hertford RFC, helping them to gain National 2 league status for the 2011/12 season.

Owen was a co-commentator for ITV's coverage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

From September 2013 Owen took up the position of Director of Rugby at Haileybury College.[5]

References
  1. "Golden swimmer with a will to win". BBC News. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  2. "Owen quits Dragons for Saracens". BBC. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  3. "Michael Owen to make Vicarage Road switch". Saracens. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  4. "Injury forces Owen to quit rugby". BBC News. 2 July 2010.
  5. Grand Slam star Owen to- teach Haileybury's new-breed Archived 24 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Hertfordshire Mercury 28 February 2013 accessed 24 March 2014
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