Owen pays tribute to Johnson

Michael Owen says Wales haven't seen the last of Coach Scott Johnson and they certainly haven't heard the last of him. Johnson became the second Wales Coach to resign in six weeks ahead of a move back to Australia, and Owen is looking forward to playing the Wallabies at next year's Rugby World Cup.

"I'm sure he'll be on the touchline during the Rugby World Cup, giving us plenty of stick, but we won't mind that," the Wales skipper said. "Scott has been awesome. He and Steve Hansen introduced the brand of rugby we're playing. Scott has been the best coach many of us have ever worked with. He's a nice guy and he's a tremendous coach.

"This has been a torturous decision for Scott to make. He's leaving with a heavy heart, but he is returning to Australia for the right reasons. It was expected, but it's still really disappointing. As a group of players, we are now just looking forward to the new coach coming in and doing what we can for him."

Owen said the players would welcome an input into the selection process: "As players, we just get on with the job and give the best possible performances for the new coaching team. There are no preferences, as far as we are concerned.

"If the selection panel feel they can learn anything by speaking to the players, we would be delighted to help. We just want the best man for the job. If we can get the right person, we can move forward as a team."