Wales captain Ken Owens mentioned on Saturday his side will “raise some eyebrows” at this year’s Rugby Globe Cup in spite of finishing fifth in the Six Nations.

Wales won just when in the course of the Championship and open their Globe Cup campaign against Fiji in Bordeaux on September eight.

Warren Gatland returned as head coach for the annual tournament following Wayne Pivac’s sacking in December and walked into a quagmire of off-field wrangles.

In January, the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Steve Phillips resigned following allegations of a “toxic culture” at the governing physique with claims of sexism, racism and homophobia created by former staff.

Final month, a player strike more than contract challenges was cancelled just days ahead of a loss to England.

Earlier on Saturday, the WRU announced their qualified sides could lastly provide new contracts to players following months of discussion.

“I was proud of the players’ efforts all campaign,” Owens told reporters following a 41-28 loss to France.

“The extra time we invest collectively, the much better we get.

“We will raise some eyebrows at the Globe Cup,” he added.

Owens turned 36 in January and was 1 nine players aged 30 or more than in Wales’ side in the course of the loss to Globe Cup hosts France.

“Personally and for a lot of the boys it most likely is going to be our final Six Nations game, it really is got to come at some point,” Owens mentioned.

“We spoke about displaying character and obtaining a particular occasion for Taulupe Faletau’s 100th and Dillon Lewis’ 50th,” he added.

Owens was absent for a coaching camp in Good final week as he returned to Wales for the birth of his second youngster.

“It really is been an fascinating week. I had to leave the boys on Tuesday evening, to fly back. I didn’t train a lot this week,” he added.

“I’ll be back with the family members tomorrow and hopefully (Scarlets head coach) Dwayne Peel offers me a good week off to appreciate with the family members,” he added.

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