Scarlets secure Owen deal

Gareth Owen: Will join the Scarlets

The Scarlets have beaten off competition from the Dragons and London Welsh for the signature of Gareth Owen.

The 23-year-old utility back was a free agent after his release by the Ospreys - but he has signed a two-year deal at the Scarlets.

Owen, a former Wales Under-20s international, spent five years at the Swansea-based outfit only for a cruciate ligament injury to see him miss the whole of last season.

However Owen, who can cover fly-half, centre and wing positions, was not been short of suitors - with Premiership new boys London Welsh, coached by former Osprey Lyn Jones, and the Dragons both in the mix.

Owen, though, will now join Kristian Phillips in making the move from the Ospreys to the Scarlets.

And he is delighted to have secured a deal at the Parc y Scarlets.

Ambitious

"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm really eager to get back onto the field and enjoy my rugby again. It's been a long break but that just motivates you more," he told the club's official site.

"The Scarlets have a very ambitious squad and strong coaching team and I think I'll fit in very well here in terms of the style of play and the energy there is around the set-up at Parc y Scarlets.

"I have a lot of respect for the coaches here; Simon Easterby, Mark Jones and Danny Wilson have clear goals and ambitions for next season and I'm really excited by the challenge ahead of me. I'm grateful for the support they are giving and that they are showing faith in my ability and backing my return to form.

"It's been tough having to sit-out for a season, but it just makes you more determined and I'm keen to get game time. This is a very competitive environment here in terms of the Scarlets backs division and the strike players the region has, so that will really push me on.

"This is a very positive move for me and I look forward to working hard in the pre-season and getting back on the pitch in the forthcoming season."