MICHAEL Owen backs new Wales coach Warren Gatland in his shock selection of 13 Ospreys players in the team to try to end their 20-year Twickenham drought tomorrow.

The 27-year-old 41-times capped Newport Gwent Dragons number eight is bitterly disappointed to be excluded from the Wales squad for the Six Nations Championship, but that apart he backs the view from the top.

Gatland, with support from fellow coaching newcomers Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley has cast aside Welsh tribalism and created a record at the first time of asking by picking 13 players from one team to take on England at their fortress.

"Tribalism is good because it shows people are passionate about their rugby, Dragons people want to see Dragons players in the team," said Owen.

"But the Ospreys have done really well this season, especially in Europe and Warren Gatland hasn't been here long so he's gone with what he's seen and with what he thinks will get the win.

"From what I've heard from inside the camp he's made a good start. There have been two tough training weeks and Warren has brought in a lot of the things he wanted with the coaches and style of play.

"He is putting his stamp on the team and making some big decisions that perhaps have not been made before. It looks like he's made a good start."

Owen claims at least three of the Ospreys backs are potential match-winners capable of swinging the game Wales' way - provided they get off to a good start and at least hold England in the early stages.

"England are the favourites, it's a tough place to go and we haven't done well there for a long time. Once when I played there we gave them a good game, but every other time we've been blown away," he admitted.

"But there's a lot of ability in the Welsh team and they've got a very good kicking game with James Hook, Gavin Henson and Lee Byrne.

"Wales have got every chance, but they've got to start well and not let England get their tails up which would give them confidence.

"The Welsh team have got to really unsettle England, then special players like Hook, Henson and Shane Williams can make things happen because they're real match-winners."

Owen is dismayed to be on the outside looking in less than three years after captaining Wales to the Grand Slam.

"Obviously I'm really disappointed not to be involved because I thought I'd been playing well this season," he said. "I've spoken to Warren, it was good to talk to him and I've just got to keep working hard and try to get on the tour to South Africa in the summer.

"It's going to be a new start for me with the Saracens next season, they are going really well and the more successful the team the higher your profile is and the more chance you've got of being selected. If the team is playing well the perception is that you're playing well, too."

Owen says he will probably watch tomorrow's Twickenham showdown on television at home. "I'll probably go out with the kids, then watch it at home," he said. "It's horrible not being involved, but your place in the Welsh team is a privilege and you haven't got a divine right to play. I've just got to keep working hard and hope that I will get a chance in the future."