Nigel Owens refereed in international rugby for 17 years between 2003 and 2020.
During that time, he also took charge of countless Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14, as well as the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.
He’ll have plenty of special memories after mixing with some of the biggest rugby stars on the planet for well over a decade, but it wasn’t all fun and games
Some players are notorious for being ‘hotheads’ on the pitch, often making things very difficult for referees.
After retiring from international rugby, Owens has revealed three of the worst rugby stars he ever had to officiate during his career.
1. Austin Healey
Healey’s illustrious career saw him excel in various positions, from scrum-half to wing, earning him the nickname “The Leicester Lip” for his outspoken nature. He contributed significantly to Leicester Tigers’ success in the Premiership and European Rugby.
Healey’s international career boasts 51 caps for England and representation in the British and Irish Lions. Post-retirement, he transitioned into punditry, offering insightful commentary on the sport.
Owens said: “Definitely Healey. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully.
“A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him.
“He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”
