Nigel Owens ranks the best and worst players to referee - Ruck

Nigel Owens ranks the best and worst players to referee

Who are the best and worst players to referee? Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens tells all as he runs down some of the toughest players he ever had to referee.

DID YOU KNOW? Nigel Owens started refereeing in 1987, after his sports teacher John Beynon suggested he take up refereeing after a poor performance in a school game.

BEST:

3. Owen Farrell (England)

“I can only speak from my own experience of refereeing him and, when I did, he was an excellent captain to deal with. I have a huge amount of respect for him as a player and a person. He always knew where the line was with me. I would say to him that he could always come and talk to me as long as it was at the right time and in the right tone and he always did that.”

2. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

“Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch.”

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