Jersey Reds have moved to bolster their front-row resources by signing loose-head prop Huw Owen from Welsh Premiership side Pontypridd.
The 27-year-old has earned his first opportunity in a full professional environment and joins the Reds in the wake of the departure of Dan Richardson. The latest Jersey player to step up to the top flight, Richardson completed a move to Gallagher Premiership side Leicester Tigers earlier this month.
Owen played his first adult rugby for his local club Kenfig Hill near Bridgend in south Wales and subsequently represented Cardiff University while studying. He also gained experience from stints in the southern hemisphere with Byron Bay in Australia and Northern United in New Zealand.
After first playing for ‘Ponty’ in 2016/17, and eventually amassing 66 appearances, Owen was also part of the Cardiff Blues’ A squad in 2019. Since his last competitive game prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has completed his Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) training.
Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon said he was looking forward to seeing the new signing integrate into the squad.
“Huw is a player with real potential which gives him an opportunity to develop and thrive in a full-time environment and become a real asset to our squad,” he said.
The Reds are building up to pre-season matches on their home turf against Gallagher Premiership opposition – Leicester Tigers on Friday August 27th (k-o 5pm) and Sale Sharks on Friday September 3rd (k-o 7.45pm) – and are then due to start their RFU Championship campaign on the weekend of September 18th, with the league schedule set to be published at 12noon today (Thursday).
Pic courtesy Pontypridd RFC/ Replay Images
