Nigel Owens doesn’t hold back when asked to name the best captain he refereed

, first clarifying that no Welsh players would feature due to the fact he never officiated them at Test level.

The respected official made his selections for Wales Online

“I am not going to include any Welsh players on my list because I haven’t refereed them in international matches,” Owens explained. “Anyway, these are my top Test skippers ranked, Welshmen aside.”

While lists like this inevitably spark debate and leave out major names, every captain included earned Owens’ admiration.

You can see his full top five below.

Former England rugby captain known for his relentless work ethic and leadership on the field. Robshaw's distinguished career saw him become a stalwart of English rugby, earning accolades for his tenacity in the back row and commitment to the team's success.

Owens said: Some people will be surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit, and he was a nice guy off the pitch."

Renowned South African rugby legend celebrated for his versatility and astute leadership.

De Villiers' career spanned over a decade, marked by his exceptional skills in midfield and inspirational captaincy, guiding the Springboks to numerous victories and a Rugby World Cup triumph.

Owens said: "He was not only a great rugby player but also a great leader and a great man. Whenever I came across him on the field, he impressed me."

Revered New Zealand rugby icon hailed as one of the greatest openside flankers in history. McCaw's unparalleled prowess in the breakdown and his tactical acumen made him a pivotal figure in the All Blacks' dominance, culminating in back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories.

Owens said: "He’s right up on any list of rugby’s greatest players.

"Maybe he will be at the top for many people.

"New Zealand won something like nine out of every 10 games in which he led them, but the mark of Richie McCaw was how he conducted himself when the All Blacks lost."

Owens said: "I’m classing this as a joint-ticket as whenever I seemed to ref Ireland in their day O’Driscoll was captain and O’Connell was vice-skipper.

"O’Driscoll actually used to tell me if there were issues with the forwards then I should chat to O’Connell.

I found them excellent to deal with."

: Respected French rugby warrior renowned for his ferocious tackling and unyielding determination. Dusautoir's illustrious career as a flanker saw him lead France with distinction, earning accolades for his defensive prowess and inspirational leadership on the field.

Owens said: "My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was.

"He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well."