RUGBY legend Ken Owens heartbreaking revealed he plans to "lock himself away" in retirement and can no longer live his normal life.
Owens, 37, has made 91 caps for Wales plus five for the British & Irish Lions in an incredible career.
But as he struggles to come back from his latest injury setback, the reality of life after rugby is quickly setting in.
The hooker went under the knife for surgery in July - missing the chance to captain Wales at the Rugby World Cup - and complications postponed his return for Scarlets.
And now the 'Sheriff' he has painfully called time on rugby.
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Announcing the news in an interview with The Times, Owens said: "It’s a relief in a way, not having that pressure to get back playing again.
"But it’s emotional and I think I will lock myself away and have a couple of beers."
Describing everyday life, a devastated Owens added: "I can’t drive for long periods, I can’t sit for long periods.
"I can’t pick up my one-year-old a handful of times before I start struggling.
"I’m not too bad at the moment.
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"I’m managing but I can’t live a normal life.
"Thinking about retirement, this is probably the first time I’ve thought, ‘I’ve got to put myself first for a change.’"
Owens spent his entire club career with Scarlets, racking up 270 matches for the Welsh outfit.
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He had 12 years in the Wales team, taking on the captaincy from Justin Tipuric and leading his country in the 2023 Six Nations.
Owens hangs up his boots with seven international tries - including one for the Lions in Cape Town in 2021 - four Six Nations crowns, two of which were Grand Slams, and two World Cup semi-finals.
He added: "People will have their own opinions. But I’d like to think I was a good team-mate and I put the team first, and that I worked hard and got every ounce out of what I was given.
“I’ve got nothing concrete lined up [in retirement].
"With this injury, I can’t commit to anything. I initially accepted some coaching with Wales Under-20 in this Six Nations but I just wasn’t healthy enough at the time to take up the role.
"I am doing a bit of coaching at Trinity College, Carmarthen, but I’m not sure whether coaching fully floats my boat.
“I’d love to stay involved in rugby as much as I can, though. I’ve been heavily involved in the players’ association for a long time and I’ve worked at board level. I’ve also done a bit of work with Cardiff Dragons netball as a non-executive director.”
