DRAGONS ace Michael Owen is emerging as a favourite for a Test spot against the All Blacks.

Owen, who shone in yesterday's 36-14 win over Taranaki in New Plymouth, received high praise from coach Ian McGeechan and is being heralded by the British media in New Zealand as a top contender for the No8 jersey.

To ensure that the Wales Grand Slam captain remains in top condition during his trip home on Sunday for the birth of his second child, the Lions will put him on a special regime. He will have to stay on New Zealand time throughout, take powerful knock-out drops to guarantee sleep at the appropriate time and will get an exercise routine for the long hours in first class.

Coach Ian McGeechan believes Owen is firmly in the mix for a place in the Test squad.

He said: "He's got parts of his play which I think are exceptional and different and we saw them all against Taranaki.

"We saw a very intelligent footballer.

"I think when you are in pressure situations you need someone like Michael. You need someone who thinks like a footballer and has hands like a footballer and can deliver at crucial times. He's a major asset.

"Michael is a player who has attributes that you will always want to use. Clive said he can go to the birth of his child and I think that will put him in a very positive frame of mind.

"It doesn't take away from the quality of rugby he can produce for us."

With Martyn Williams and Richard Hill hot favourites to be Test flankers, it seems a straight shoot-out between Owen and England's Martin Corry to join them in the back row.

Corry, the Lions captain yesterday, did little wrong, turning the tide of the match with a second half try. However, Owen had the better all-round game.

"Michael really contributed and what we saw was that not only can he get involved in the physical side of things but he is a touch player as well. He's got this X-factor, this bit of vision," said Lions and Llanelli Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins.

"He made some significant touches and created a try which he should be commended for. Lawrence Dallaglio has to be replaced and with two big games to his name Mike has to be in the frame.

"He's settling into a new team and bringing what he brought to the Six Nations into the Lions' style of play.

"The return to Wales has been well planned and all the management team are behind Mike. He will return as a proud father - he's got a lot going for him at the moment."

Owen admits he doesn't know whether his mammoth 57-hour, 23,000 mile round-trip to the delivery room will effect his dream of a crack at the All Blacks.

But Sir Clive Woodward, on the evidence from New Plymouth, will be counting down the days until his return. Owen will be available for the game against Otago next weekend but jetlag means he is thought unlikely to figure until the match against Southland, just four days before the first Test in Christchurch on June 25.

Owen said: "They haven't given me any indication that it's going to affect my chances so it's up to me."