Owen would be the 122nd player to lead Wales in all internationals after full-back Thomas fractured his right thumb against France at the weekend, ruling him out of the rest of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Owen is odds-on favourite to take over after deputising for Thomas in the second half against France when Wales turned a 15-6 deficit into a 24-18 victory.

The selectors will sit down and talk about it but I would have thought Michael Owen would be our captain, said Ruddock. He did a superb job in the second half against France.

The Newport Gwent Dragons star revealed it would be an honour to lead Wales against Scotland and Ireland, especially with the men in red still on course for the Grand Slam.

You dream about playing for Wales, but it never enters you head that you will one day captain your country, said Owen.

If it comes about it will be brilliant, but we will just have to wait and see.

Its an easy job really because there are so many experienced players in the side. But it will be a massive honour.

Gareth is going to be a massive loss because he is a brilliant player and he has done a fantastic job since he has been captain.

He has put his own unique stamp on things. We are going to miss him but the strength of the squad is shown when you have someone like Kevin Morgan to step in.

He has been playing fantastically well and is just as good as Gareth.