"hard-as-nails merchants" - Nigel Owens names the three hardest players he came across

Owens, writing in his column in walesonline.co.uk, made his comment after remarks by England international and former Highlander James Haskell claimed rugby had gone soft.

Owens wrote: “A popular question put to me is, who is the hardest player I’ve ever come across on the pitch?", writes Owens.

"Well, many of the players included in this book would be very high up on my list but when it comes to the hardest of all, I’m sorry Luke, it’s not one of your suggestions...it’s Richie McCaw.

“Capped 148 times by New Zealand, despite playing in the most attritional of positions, where every game he would be throwing himself in harm’s way, perhaps by locking himself over possession and soaking up the attention of immensely powerful forwards who would do everything they could to wipe him off the ball. Now that’s what I would call a genuine hard man!”

Owens wrote: "A man of few words, he does his talking on the field with his actions. Not only is he a brilliant player and a very good captain but I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything.

"He’s been playing at lock for 10 years and remains one of the first names on the Wales team-sheet, which says everything about his ability."

Owens wrote: "One of the smallest men to play rugby who took the hits from the big men yet rose to his feet and got on with the game, bringing his own incredible crowd-pleasing skill to proceedings.

"When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it’s pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I’ve been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.

"But if I’m pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age."