Nigel Owens ranks the SIX best British & Irish players he refereed

Saturday, 24 July 2021 at 13:48

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byRugby Rucker

Nigel Owens list of the most talented British & Irish rugby players ever would walk into nearly any team from any generation of rugby.

#6. Phil Vickery (England)

Owens said: "I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a good player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it.

"As a player, at his peak with Wasps during their European runs and with England in 2007, he was a formidable force."

DID YOU KNOW? Vickery won the 2011 series of Celebrity Masterchef beating Kirsty Wark and Nick Pickard in the final

#5. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Owens said: “How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, is now the Scotland captain.

#4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

Owens said: "Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory.

"Never took a backward step, stood tall and was a man others would follow."

#3. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Owens said: "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 15 years and remains one of the first names on the Wales team-sheet, which says everything about his ability"

#2. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

Owens said: "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."

#1. Shane Williams (Wales)

Owens said: "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.

"He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps"

DID YOU KNOW? Williams started his junior career as a scrum-half at Amman United