Ken Owens: Wales and Scarlets hooker will not 'return in near future'

Scarlets hooker Ken Owens has played 91 international for Wales and five Tests for the British and Irish Lions

Scarlets have said any return from injury for Wales hooker Ken Owens "will not happen in the near future".

Owens, 36, missed the World Cup in France through injury and is still attempting a comeback for his region, while fellow Scarlets and Wales hooker Ryan Elias is also injured.

"We haven't got a date is the truth," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

"With Ken, it's been a long, dragged out and complex rehab for him."

Owens battled back from another back injury to captain Wales during the 2023 Six Nations. Despite missing the World Cup, the British and Irish Lions hooker insisted he was not retiring from international rugby.

"What I do know about Ken is that if there's an opportunity to return, he'll give it everything," said Peel.

"Similar to when he had his last back operation. There was a lot said at the time and I know for Ken, it's about getting healthy and making sure he's available when he's ready.

"There's no pressure on him from that perspective for us. We respect what he gives us as a club, both on and off the field but I haven't got a return date. It won't be in the near future."

Lee back in training

Wales prop Samson Lee is closer to a return to action after battling a long-standing Achilles problem.

"Samson is closer to play, so hopefully we'll see him over the next couple of weeks," said Peel.

"I don't know when that's going to be but he's a lot more down the line. He trained this week so we'll see how he reacts to that.

"It's been a long process for him as well - 18 months, something like that. We had a bit of a relapse in the summer with his injury but he's a great guy and squad man.

"Hopefully his leg will settle and we'll see him on the pitch again but there's a bit of work to do there."

Wales prop Wyn Jones is fit and Scarlets are looking for him to cover tight-head prop as well as his normal loose-head position.

"We spoke towards the end of last season, with squad numbers and where we are in our profile of our front row, having someone who can swing both loose and tight, that's very handy for any squad," said Peel.

"Being able to play on both sides is big. We've seen it with the Franks brothers in New Zealand and with different props around the world - look at Leinster with Cian Healy who can do both.

"We spoke to Wyn about it and he was keen to explore it and add another string to his bow.

"If he can be able to operate on both, it's valuable for us and also for him. He's given it a go and keen to do it.

"With Samson being out as well it's been forced upon him a bit, but he's enjoyed it and he's been great.

"I don't necessarily see him fully as a tight-head yet, but we definitely want to play him there. He's got the ability to play both.

"We have taken the opinion with him, that it's a good opportunity to add that string to his bow, and with any squad you can only have a certain number of players.

"Being able to play on both sides is big."

Jones was the British and Irish Lions starting loose-head prop against South Africa in 2021 and named in World Rugby's dream team of the year.

Two years on he has missed out on the World Cup and is battling to be a regular Scarlets starter.

"We have to rotate our props this year, we haven't got as many and we know there's going to be times in the season where he's (Jones) going to play a lot of rugby," said Peel.

"It's about getting the balance right for when and where we use him, he's an important member of the squad.

"Kemsley Mathias has stepped up over the last year and put himself in the Wales squad.

"He's a good athlete, young kid also, so we're fortunate to have both of them as well as Steff Thomas."

Scarlets have lost heavily in their first two United Rugby Championship (URC) games in South Africa and host Welsh rivals Cardiff on Saturday looking to get off the mark.