MICHAEL Owen all but clinched his place in Wales' World Cup squad to be announced later today with a try-scoring performance in the 23-9 victory over Scotland on Saturday.

Wales coach Steve Hansen thinks highly of Owen and has converted him to a lock from number eight.

He joined the Newport and Gwent Dragons from Pontypridd in the summer and is their one player certain to go to Australia.

"The World Cup is the pinnacle for any player and it would be fantastic to go, I hope to make it and do well out there," said Owen, who scored his first try for Wales in his eighth appearance.

After his heroic performance against Scotland he spoke of the hurt the whole squad felt after the debacle against England a week earlier.

"It just didn't happen against England and it was a knock for the whole squad," admitted Owen.

"It hurt all of us, but we put the work in today and in training during the week and we got our reward.

"We noticed from the England game that we needed to push up in defence more, so we changed that and it was a bit better. We wanted to put it right.

"We worked really hard on our defence (Wales did not concede a try against the Scots), we got up a bit quicker which stood us in good stead, and it improved.

"It was nice to score my first try for Wales, the ball came to me, I could see some space and the winger drifted off me so I got over. It was fantastic."

Owen clearly prefers the No 8 role he has occupied for most of his career, though happy to play in his adopted role for Wales.

"I don't mind where I play. I'd prefer the back row where there is a bit more freedom and it's easier to get in the game, but I'll play where I'm picked," he said.

"With the second row, the first priority is the scrum and line-out, but the two positions are pretty similar now. I haven't had a long run in the Welsh team, though. It's been a bit fragmented which is disappointing.

"You get better by gaining experience and becoming more confident."