Scarlets and Wales hooker Ken Owens is in line to return from an 11-month injury layoff after being named in Carmarthen Quins’ starting XV for their clash with Swansea.
The British & Irish Lion has not played since he represented Scarlets against Leinster in the United Rugby Championship in October last year.
The Welsh Premier Division side are a feeder club for the Scarlets, and they will take on Swansea on Saturday, 24 September.
The 35-year-old forward will be hoping to prove his fitness ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
After initially being selected for Wales’ opening Autumn Nations Series clash against New Zealand in October 2021, Owens pulled out of the game due to his back problem and has not played since.
France 2023 would be the 82-cap international’s fourth World Cup appearance, having also competed in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
He made his debut for Wales in their third pool match at the 2011 tournament, coming on as a second-half replacement in an 81-7 win over Namibia.
An international return this November would appear unlikely for Owens after such a long absence, with Wales taking on New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia in the Autumn Nations Series.
In his absence, Ryan Elias has taken on the mantle as Wales’ first-choice No.2 under Wayne Pivac.
