Match officials confirmed for round three of the Autumn Nations Cup

Thursday, 26 November 2020 at 17:05

bySteven Smith

Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens has received a very special gift ahead of his 100th test this weekend.

The 49-year-old oversee France’s Autumn Nations Cup clash with Italy on Saturday in his second outing of the newly-created tournament that replaced the traditional end of year tours which were scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

His first outing was England’s 40-0 win over Georgia on November 14, 17 years after he refereed his first Test.

During his career the Acme Thunderer has always been his whistle of choice, so Prime Video Sport teamed up with Acme Whistles to create a special memento for the history maker.

"A massive thanks to @primevideosport for these special edition @AcmeW for my match on Saturday @FranceRugby v @Federugby." wrote Owens on Twitter.

Nigel Owens MBE

@Nigelrefowens

·Follow

A massive thanks 🙏 to @primevideosport for these special edition @AcmeW for my match on Saturday @FranceRugby v @Federugby I’ll try not to blow it to much 😂😉. Diolch o galon, it’s very much appreciated and means a lot .

5:16 PM · Nov 25, 2020

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"I’ll try not to blow it too much. Diolch o galon (many thanks), it’s very much appreciated and means a lot ."

To find out more about whistles for referees or coaching, visit www.acmewhistles.co.uk
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Here's who takes charge this weekend

Wales v England
Venue: Park y Scarlets
Saturday, 28 November, 2020. Kick-off at 4pm.

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referee one: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant Referee two: Alex Ruiz (France)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)

France v Italy
Saturday, 28 November, 2020. Kick-off at 9pm.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referee 2: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Ireland v Georgia
Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Sunday, 29 November, 2020. Kick-off at 2pm

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

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.

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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.

10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)

There are lots of outside-halves who have been great, but not one who has done it over so many years like Carter.

9. Agustin Pichot (Argentina)

Pichot and Felipe Contepomi were the ones who helped transform Argentina into one of the greatest sides in the world. He was an architect behind their march to the World Cup semi-finals in 2007, which set the trend ahead of their excellent showing in the 2015 tournament, too.

1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)

He rarely smiles but has been a terrific player at loose-head prop. When I’ve penalised him and he’s smiled, I know I’d got the decision right!

2. John Smit (South Africa)

He led the Springboks to success at the 2007 World Cup in France and against the 2009 Lions and is probably one of the greatest captains I have dealt with.

3. Phil Vickery (England)

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.

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

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.

5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)

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.

6. Theirry Dusautoir (France)

He was right up there as one of the best captains I have refereed and we greatly respected one another.

7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards.

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8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)

I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game.

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