Nigel Owens named Carter and McCaw in his best XV of players he refereed

Wednesday, 02 September 2026 at 19:39

bySteven Smith

Nigel Owens refereed many of the greatest rugby players of the modern era – but narrowing them down to one ultimate XV proved far from straightforward.

The legendary Welsh official was asked to select his dream team from the players he had encountered during his extraordinary refereeing career, with his choices originally published by WalesOnline in April 2016.

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The British & Irish Lions subsequently published Owens’ selection on 21 April 2016, as the Welshman prepared to referee his 71st international and become the most experienced Test referee of all time.

Owens admitted the hardest part wasn't finding players worthy of selection, but deciding which world-class names he had to leave out.

Here’s how his incredible XV shapes up, starting with the back three.

BACK-THREE

15. Israel Folau – Australia

It is important to note that Owens made this selection in 2016, before Folau's later homophobic comments and the subsequent controversy surrounding his views.

Owens himself strongly criticised Folau's comments in 2018, warning about the impact such statements could have on young people struggling with their sexuality. Owens addressed Folau's comments publicly in a WalesOnline column.

At the time of this original rugby selection, however, Owens was judging Folau purely on what he had produced on the field.

Leigh Halfpenny came incredibly close to taking the jersey.

Owens said: “For me, it’s nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them.”

Explaining why he eventually opted for the Australian, he added: “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 concluded: “It’s a toss of a coin for me… and it’s come down in Folau’s favour.”

14. Stuart Hogg – Scotland

Owens shifted Stuart Hogg away from his usual full-back position to accommodate him on the wing.

By 2016, the Scotland superstar had already developed a reputation as one of the most exciting attacking players in the northern hemisphere.

Owens said: “How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he bursts into that line.”

He believed Hogg had more than enough attributes to make the positional switch.

“I know he’s a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing,” said Owens.

“He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.”

Hogg would eventually represent the British & Irish Lions on three tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

11. Shane Williams – Wales

Completing Owens' back three is one of the most devastating runners Welsh rugby has ever produced.

Shane Williams scored 58 tries for Wales and was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008.

Owens compared Williams' ability to leave defenders behind to another Welsh great, Gerald Davies.

He said: “He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps.”

Owens certainly didn't envy anyone tasked with stopping his chosen trio.

“Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that.”

CENTRES

13. Brian O’Driscoll – Ireland

Brian O'Driscoll gets the nod at outside centre following a remarkable career for Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.

The Irishman won 133 caps for his country and toured with the British & Irish Lions four times, captaining the tourists in New Zealand in 2005.

Owens' admiration for O'Driscoll went far beyond his considerable playing ability.

He 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.”

Owens also praised O'Driscoll's influence on the wider sport.

“O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader.”

12. Ma’a Nonu – New Zealand

Alongside O'Driscoll is Ma’a Nonu, who was a central figure in the great New Zealand team that won consecutive Rugby World Cups.

The destructive centre accumulated 103 Test appearances for the All Blacks and started the 2015 World Cup final, which Owens himself refereed at Twickenham.

But Owens' memories of Nonu weren't limited to what the New Zealander produced during matches.

“He’s another brilliant player and after every game, win or lose, he would come up and give me a hug,” Owens revealed.

“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.”

That combination of immense playing ability and mutual respect was enough to earn Nonu the No.12 shirt in Owens' ultimate side.

HALF-BACKS

10. Dan Carter – New Zealand

Perhaps the least surprising selection comes at fly-half.

Owens had witnessed plenty of outstanding number 10s, but Dan Carter's longevity separated him from the competition.

Carter's place had been questioned heading into the 2015 Rugby World Cup after several injury-hit seasons.

He responded emphatically, producing a magnificent tournament as the All Blacks became the first nation to retain the Rugby World Cup.

Owens refereed that final against Australia at Twickenham.

“There are lots of outside-halves who have been great,” Owens said, before explaining that none had maintained Carter's level for so many years.

He added that Carter's comeback to perform so brilliantly at the 2015 World Cup was “a sign of a special player.”

9. Agustín Pichot – Argentina

Owens admitted former Wales and Lions scrum-half Dwayne Peel came very close to getting his vote.

Instead, he selected Argentina legend Agustín Pichot.

The former Pumas captain was one of the driving forces behind Argentina's transformation into an international powerhouse.

Owens described Pichot as both a great player and “a great ambassador for the game of rugby.”

Alongside Felipe Contepomi, Pichot helped inspire Argentina's historic run to third place at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

FRONT-ROW

1. Gethin Jenkins – Wales

Owens knew Gethin Jenkins particularly well from refereeing him in domestic rugby.

The legendary loosehead accumulated 129 Wales caps and represented the Lions on three tours.

Owens joked about Jenkins' notoriously serious demeanour.

He said: “When I’ve penalised him and he’s smiled, I know I’d got the decision right!”

More importantly, Owens praised Jenkins for standing the test of time, believing his longevity spoke volumes about both his ability and character.

2. John Smit – South Africa

John Smit is the sole Springbok in Owens' XV.

Smit captained South Africa to their 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph before leading them to a famous series victory against the British & Irish Lions two years later.

Leadership was clearly a major factor in Owens' decision.

He described Smit as “one of the greatest captains I have dealt with”, while also praising him as a good man and an outstanding hooker.

3. Phil Vickery – England

Only one Englishman made the final XV.

World Cup winner Phil Vickery edged out former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman for the tighthead jersey.

Owens remembered Vickery as an excellent player to referee because of the way he dealt with decisions.

“He wasn’t one of those who would whinge,” Owens explained, adding that Vickery would accept the referee's call and simply get on with the game.

At his peak with Wasps and England, Owens described the powerful prop as a “formidable force.”

SECOND-ROW

4. Alun Wyn Jones – Wales

Alun Wyn Jones was another straightforward inclusion.

Owens refereed the lock countless times during his career and was consistently impressed by the intensity he brought to every match.

The former Wales and Lions captain wasn't necessarily the loudest player on the pitch.

Owens described him as “a man of few words” who instead did his talking through his actions.

Most impressively, Owens said: “I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything.”

5. Paul O’Connell – Ireland

Another iconic captain partners Jones.

Paul O'Connell established himself as a giant of Irish rugby during hugely successful spells with Munster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.

For Owens, his leadership was what truly separated him.

He described O'Connell as an “exceptional leader” and recalled matches where the lock appeared to carry Munster or Ireland almost single-handedly towards victory.

A Jones-O'Connell second-row would certainly not lack leadership.

BACK-ROW

6. Thierry Dusautoir – France

One of Owens' most interesting selections comes at blindside.

Thierry Dusautoir famously captained France and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2011.

Owens regarded the Frenchman as perhaps the finest captain he encountered.

He praised Dusautoir for continually putting his body on the line and highlighted his conduct towards officials, even when decisions went against France.

Owens said: “He acted as a true leader should act.”

7. Richie McCaw – New Zealand

Owens had plenty of elite options at openside, including Australian breakdown specialist David Pocock.

But ultimately he couldn't overlook Richie McCaw.

The All Blacks legend became the first captain to lift the Rugby World Cup twice, leading New Zealand to triumphs in 2011 and 2015.

Owens even placed McCaw in the conversation for the greatest rugby player ever.

“If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history,” he said, the choice would be extremely difficult between McCaw and Wales icon Gareth Edwards.

Owens also couldn't resist acknowledging McCaw's famous ability to operate right on the edge at the breakdown, joking about him spending time “sometimes the wrong side at rucks.”

8. Sergio Parisse – Italy

Completing an extraordinary back-row is Sergio Parisse.

The Italian number eight spent much of his international career playing in sides that struggled against rugby's leading nations, but his individual quality was rarely in doubt.

Owens had refereed numerous world-class number eights but considered Parisse the standout.

He described the Italian as an immensely talented player who “rarely has a bad game.”

Owens acknowledged that Parisse could sometimes appear to try to do too much, but felt that was partly a consequence of playing for teams that weren't always operating at their best.

His final assessment was simple: “He’s been extraordinary.”

NIGEL OWENS' BEST XV OF PLAYERS HE REFEREED

15. Israel Folau (Australia)
14. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
9. Agustín Pichot (Argentina)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
2. John Smit (South Africa)
3. Phil Vickery (England)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)