The Times has made Owen Slot chief rugby correspondent.

One of Fleet Street’s finest sports writers, Owen originally joined The Times in 2002 as Chief Sports Reporter having worked on The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and The Sunday Telegraph.

Since 1995 Owen has covered every Five and Six Nations Championship, every Rugby World Cup and three Lions tour, making him a leading authority on the sport.

Tim Hallissey, Times Sports Editor says: “Owen has an unmatched passion for rugby which translates into brilliantly perceptive and analytical pieces. Through his many contacts within the sport Owen routinely provides unique insights into game which results in rich and informed reporting.

“I look forward to his reporting on the forthcoming Six Nations and have every confidence that our readers will enjoy his coverage which began in today's paper with his exclusive interview with Andy Farrell, England's assistant coach."

Says Owen: “I am thrilled to be taking up the mantel of Chief rugby correspondent. The Six Nations is a great way to start, and then we are sailing headlong into a home World Cup. The next two years are going to be huge for this sport."

Owen worked with Jonny Wilkinson on his autobiography Jonny, and has been named Sports News Reporter of the Year three times, and Sports Feature Writer of the Year a further three times.