Ike Owens

Isaac "Ike" A. Owens (birth registered October–December 1918 — death unknown) birth registered in Bridgend district, was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Maesteg RFC, and the Royal Air Force and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Leeds, Castleford, and Huddersfield, as a Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 13, during the era of contested scrums.

Owens, who was born in Pontycymer near Bridgend, originally played rugby union for Blaengarw RFC, before switching to Maesteg. Although switching to rugby league in 1943 Owens was part of the 1945 British Empire Forces rugby union team that played France, during a period when the strict guideline between amateur and professional were relaxed. Owens, playing at number 8, scored two tries in that game helping the British to a 27-6 victory.

Ike Owens won caps for Wales (RL) while at Leeds, while at Castleford playing Loose forward/Lock in the 9-12 defeat by France at St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground, Swansea on Saturday 23 October 1948, and playing Loose forward/Lock in the 5-12 defeat by Australia at St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground, Swansea on Saturday 20 November 1948, and while at Huddersfield 1945…1949 12-caps, and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Leeds in 1946 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand. Owens was widely regarded as Britain's key player on the 1946 British Lions rugby league Tour to Australia and New Zealand.