"It has to stop" - Nigel Owens demands change to referees on-field behaviour

Looking ahead to the start of the 2022 Six Nations, the Welshman has identified this as the reason for growing dissent from players towards officials.

In only the last few weeks, Ireland international Bundee Aki was warned for confronting a referee while Wallaby hooker Tolu Latu was sent off for swearing at Wayne Barnes in Paris.

He wrote in his column for The Telegraph: "An area that needs to be addressed, and it is not a major issue yet but has been creeping in over recent months, is the amount referees talk to players. 

"There is a time for communication and there needs to be a balance. But the more you talk in a game, the more you open yourself up to have a two-way conversation, and players feel they can talk to you about anything. 

"We are seeing more of referees going 'don't do that, mate', which makes players feel: 'I am speaking to my mate here, I can say whatever I want'. I would like to see less of that, and it's why a hint of dissent has come into the game recently.

"Communication is important, but it does not have to be constant. Less is often more. There is no need for a debate on the field."