Powys football journalist Michelle Owen joins ITV for World Cup

Michelle is a former Newtown High School student who is well known to football fans the length and breadth of the UK through her work with Sky Sports.

However Michelle will be throwing in her lot with Wales as part of the ITV team which will cover the World Cup which kicks off in Qatar later this month.

Michelle said: "It’s really exciting to have Wales at the World Cup for the first time in 64 years. We’ve made a special documentary that is on ITV in November and making it made me realise just how far football in the country has developed.

"Gareth Bale pointed out this is the first time Wales have properly qualified too."

Michelle backed the Dragons to qualify for the knock out stages and has enjoyed getting to know the players and staff at the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

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However she also acknowledged Qatar was a controversial venue for the World Cup with the country accused of human rights abuses.

She said: "It’s certainly a controversial place to hold the world biggest football show, we have been extensively briefed on Qatar and the wider issues."

"Hopefully we can also bring home news from inside the Wales camp, the FAW are a joy to deal with and the players always amenable so I’m really looking forward to spending time with them.

"Wales should get out of that group, beating Iran, USA shouldn’t be underestimated and a derby a few thousand miles away against England will be fun.

"After that it’s knockout football and anything can happen.”