“He’d wink at you” – Nigel Owens names the four WORST England players to referee

Nigel Owens was an international referee for 17 years and during that time encountered some challenging England players as he names the five which he never enjoyed officiating.

He is widely regarded as one of the best referees in the history of the sport, having officiated some of the biggest games in rugby union, including the Rugby World Cup Final in 2015.

Owens began his refereeing career in 1987, at the age of 16, and quickly progressed through the ranks. He made his professional debut as a referee in 2001 and has since officiated in over 100 international matches, including Six Nations, European Champions Cup, and Super Rugby fixtures.

Off the field, Owens is known for his advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community, having come out as gay in 2007. He has been a vocal supporter of equal rights and has used his platform as a high-profile referee to promote inclusion and diversity in rugby and beyond.

In addition to his refereeing duties, Owens is also a popular television personality, having appeared on a number of shows in the UK, including the popular quiz show, "A Question of Sport." He has also authored two books, "Hwyl: The Autobiography of Nigel Owens" and "Real Rugby: Players, Pastimes, and Pretend Pursuits."

Despite his numerous achievements and accolades, Owens remains grounded and dedicated to his craft. He is respected by players, coaches, and fans alike for his knowledge of the game, his fairness, and his ability to manage high-pressure situations with calmness and composure.

Here is what the former top referee told The Daily Mail and a Q&A fo Wales Online about the five worst England players he had to deal with in his career.

Owens said: "He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You'd be trying to tell him something serious and he'd just want to have a laugh and a joke. He'd wink at you on the middle of a serious telling off."

OWENS SAID: "Itoje is someone who plays right on the edge. That is what makes him such a great player. He must be so difficult to play against but he’s also difficult to referee and I mean that with the utmost respect. 

"He plays with passion and on the line. It is difficult to tell Itoje not to bring the same confrontation and aggression to the game that he usually does. It would take away from his game.

"You don’t want him to change the way he plays but he needs to pick and choose when he gambles on the situation and when he doesn’t. And understand better those moments when you are under pressure and knowing when, if you take a risk and get it wrong, you will land your team in real trouble."

OWENS SAID: "A player who pushed himself, but also sometimes the referee, to their limit due to his intensity. A really nice guy away from the field."

DID YOU KNOW? He has won three Six Nations Championship titles with England and one English Premiership title with Harlequins

Owens said: “Definitely Healey. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully.

"A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him.

"He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”