#1. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Sexton, the Irish rugby maestro, leads with intelligence and grit. As a world-class fly-half, he’s earned his place among the rugby elite through precise decision-making and relentless determination.
Owens on Sexton and Biggar: “I’ll tell you what, they’re probably the best two referees in the world, Dan Biggar and Johnny Sexton, because when you ref them they always think they know more than you!”
Owens also named the referee who would make the best player, as well as the referee who would make the worst player.
“Which referee fancies themselves as the best player? Well, that would be Nic Berry, because he played at the top level for Wasps and [Racing 92] as a very, very talented scrum-half and a very talented referee as well,” Owens said.