Wales celebrate the old and the new

Two of the Wales team to take on Namibia on Monday will come from opposite ends of the experience scale.

Fly half Stephen Jones will play his 101st Test to become the most capped player in Welsh rugby history, while reserve hooker Ken Owens will likely appear in his first international.

Jones' returns from a seven-week absence due to a leg injury to notch the record at his fourth World Cup for Wales and surpass Gareth Thomas’ mark of 100.

“It’s been quite tough just because I haven’t been involved in the team that much. I’ve been doing my own programme, whether it be fitness or rehab,” Jones said.

“The last few weeks (since Wales arrived in New Zealand) have been great, just to get back integrated and take part in the normal schedule and to confirm why you’re here – to play some rugby.”

Jones credits his 101 caps to playing for his regional club, Scarlets in Llanelli, Wales.

“I love playing for my region and that’s the foundation of it all. When you work with good people day in day out, it’s a good lifestyle, isn’t it?” he said.

Lifelong dream

Owens can become the first Wales player to make his Test debut in a World Cup match since Jason Jones-Hughes in 1999.

“I had a chance to sit on the bench against France a while ago, but didn’t get the chance then (to play) so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and the whole spectacle of it,” Owens said.

“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to my whole life, I’m really excited and can’t wait to get out there.”

The Scarlets teammates are familiar with each other on the field, however Owens is unsure if Jones realises that the 24-year-old’s international debut might be just around the corner.

“I haven’t really spoken to him about it. I’ve been in the squad for a while now so I’m not really sure some of the guys even know it’s my debut. But I’m sure he’d give me some advice if I asked him,” Owens said.

Jones will start in place of Rhys Priestland for his first game in the Welsh RWC 2011 campaign, while Owens replaces injured hooker Huw Bennett on the bench.