Scarlets unfurled a surprise to the rugby world on Friday as they named Wales hooker and captain Ken Owens at No.8 for the clash against Dragons on Saturday.
Owens, who has earnt half of his 60 caps for Wales in Rugby’s Greatest Championship, has never played at No.8 professionally but is filling in with Scarlets dealing with an injury crisis.
It’s all hands to the pump for the 32-year-old British & Irish Lions hooker with regular Scarlets back rowers James Davies, Aaron Shingler, Will Boyde, Blade Thomson, Josh Macleod and Uzair Cassiem all injured.
The Saturday tea-time match sees Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets attempt to bounce back from a 34-5 defeat to Cardiff Blues last week, the first time they’d lost at home in the Guinness PRO14 since September 2016.
Ryan Elias will take up position as hooker while Owens is partnered by Dan Davies and Ed Kennedy in the back row, as he attempted to use his well-known physicality and ball-carrying ability from a different starting position.
