WALES hooker Ken Owens is being linked with a move to Aviva Premiership Worcester Warriors.

The Scarlets skipper is out of contract at the end of the season and speculation suggests Warriors head coach Carl Hogg is keen to lure him away from Wales.

The Welsh region’s negotiations with the 29-year-old have been put on hold during the autumn international series.

Carmarthen-born Owens won his 45th cap for Wales against South Africa last Saturday and crossed the whitewash in their 27-13 victory.

With Niall Annett (ankle operation) injured and Jaba Bregvadze on international duty with Georgia, rookie Jack Singleton started ahead of Matti Williams in Warriors’ 57-22 defeat at Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

Former Wales captain Matthew Rees was believed to have turned down a move to Warriors in the summer of 2015.

The hooker had been linked with a move to Sixways and is understood to have been offered a deal but eventually re-signed for Cardiff Blues.

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac says he will sit down and speak to Owens next week.

"He is the captain of the side so we would like to think he won't be going too far," Pivac added.