Nigel Owens reveals his exciting post-rugby plans - Ruck

Nigel Owens reveals his exciting post-rugby plans

Nigel Owens has confirmed that his 100th test match this weekend could be his last in a exclusive interview with the Telegraph.

The popular Welsh referee has now revealed that he hopes to have children with his partner.

Owens, who turns 50 in June., said: “Glen Jackson (fellow referee) always tells me that. At the World Cup in 2015 his family came over and I was playing cards with his kids all the time

“I’ve got lots of cousins, they’re older now but they used to come over and stay, come to games with me and things like that. I’ve got lots of godchildren too.

“Maybe people think I’m good with kids because I can give them back when I’ve had enough!

“But it is something me and my partner have spoken about. I think when we get things done up on the farm we have, we’re going to rebuild the house and move a couple of miles up there, maybe we will (have children).

EDITORS PICKS:

“I would like to have kids. Circumstances haven’t allowed it until now for many reasons, particularly with refereeing, which has been a massive commitment for the best part of the last 20 years.

“It’s a huge commitment with travel and being away and I’ve had to put a lot of things on my life on hold. Best mate’s weddings, family weddings, close relatives’ funerals. You just weren’t here when loved ones were passing away.

“Now that commitment is less and will taper off at the end of the season when I’ll probably call it a day I will have time to commit to other things.

“Yes, it is something that’s at the back of my mind so maybe in the near future.

“I’ll have to hurry up as I’m getting old. I’ll be a grandad!”


One Englishman features In Nigel Owens’ Dream XV Of Players He’s Refereed

15. Israel Folau (Australia) – This pick didn’t age well.

I go for Folau – only just, I should stress – because of his ability to seemingly beat his man every time he gets the ball in his hand. He’s such an exciting player and like Leigh Halfpenny he is one of the best under the high ball.


14. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.


13. 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.


12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)

He’s another brilliant player and after every game, win or lose, he would come up and give me a hug. Ma’a has always found time at after-match functions or at breakfast if we’ve been staying at the same hotel to come over and have a chat.


11. Shane Williams (Wales)

He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that.

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