The URC 'double boost' that is music to the ears of Wayne Pivac

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has received a double boost ahead of the autumn Tests with Leigh Halfpenny and Ken Owens set to make their Scarlets comebacks. Full-back Halfpenny will start Saturday’s United Rugby Championship game against Benetton in Italy, and hooker Owens is among the replacements as Scarlets chase their first league win of the season.

Halfpenny has not played since suffering a knee injury when Wales beat Canada 15 months ago. It was his 100th Test appearance for Wales and the British and Irish Lions. But 33-year-old Halfpenny’s return will now be a timely one with Pivac having lost Liam Williams for the entire autumn series due to a collar bone injury that required surgery.

Owens, meanwhile, has had a back problem. He made his last Scarlets appearance in October 2021 and has not represented Wales since the Six Nations campaign earlier that year. The 35-year-old played a half for Welsh Premiership side Carmarthen Quins last weekend and came through unscathed.

Wales kick off their autumn programme against New Zealand on November 5 before hosting Argentina, Georgia and Australia.