Owen sets sights on Wales recall

Owen is keen to impress Wales coach Warren Gatland

Saracens number eight Michael Owen has targeted a return to Warren Gatland's Wales squad after impressing in the season's opening weeks at his new club.

Owen led Wales to the 2005 Grand Slam after Gareth Thomas was injured during the campaign and in the same year he went on the Lions tour to New Zealand.

But the 27-year-old was omitted from Gatland's 2008 Slam-winning squad.

Owen said: "I'd be delighted to be back in the Welsh side and I'd never rule myself out of playing for my country."

The former Pontypridd and Newport Gwent Dragons star added: I know that the most important thing is that I keep playing well for Saracens.

"If I play well for my club then it will give me the chance to get back on the international scene.

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"If I don't get back into the Welsh squad, then I will just continue to do what I am really enjoying at the moment and that is playing for Saracens."

Owen celebrated the birth of his third child (Sonny James) last Wednesday by scoring his first Guinness Premiership try in Sarries' 26-12 win over Northampton on Saturday.

Owen, who won the last of his 41 Welsh caps at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, added: "Saracens is like an international set up and everything is in place for the players.

"All you have to do is focus on playing rugby so there are no excuses not to perform.

"We're getting better as a side every week we play. We were pretty close to getting the results in our opening two games but having won successive matches against Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints we have to keep that going."