Nigel Owens names the best captain he ever refereed – Richie McCaw snubbed

The Welshman shared the pitch with some of rugby's greatest-ever players during his record-breaking refereeing career, including McCaw, Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell.

But when asked to rank the finest Test captains he dealt with, Owens placed the two-time Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks skipper only third.

His number one choice was France legend Thierry Dusautoir.

Owens has also separately confirmed his admiration for the former Les Bleus skipper when asked by World Rugby to choose the best captain he refereed.

"If I'd have to pick one, I'd go for Thierry Dusautoir," Owens said.

Owens, who took charge of 100 Tests during an incredible career, also refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.

He has previously named his greatest XV of players he refereed, with both McCaw and Dan Carter making the cut.

However, when it comes to leadership, McCaw doesn't take top spot.

There was one important condition to Owens' ranking. Welsh players were excluded because Owens couldn't referee his own country at Test level.

"I am not going to include any Welsh players on my list because I haven't refereed them in international matches," he explained.

Here are Nigel Owens' five best Test captains.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list is former England captain Chris Robshaw.

The Harlequins flanker won 66 Test caps and captained England 43 times.

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."

Former Springboks captain Jean de Villiers comes in fourth.

The classy centre won 109 caps for South Africa and led his country on 37 occasions.

Owens was particularly impressed by the way De Villiers conducted himself when dealing with officials.

"He was not only a great rugby player but also a great leader and a great man," Owens said.

"Whenever I came across him on the field, he impressed me."

Despite his extraordinary record, McCaw only takes third place.

The legendary flanker captained New Zealand 110 times and led the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup glory in both 2011 and 2015.

Owens took charge of the 2015 final as McCaw's side beat Australia 34-17 at Twickenham.

"He's right up on any list of rugby's greatest players," Owens said.

"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."

McCaw also featured in Owens' all-time team of players he refereed.

Owens couldn't separate two Ireland legends, with Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell sharing second place.

"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," Owens explained.

"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."

Between them, the pair became two of the most recognisable players of Ireland's modern era.

Taking top spot is France legend Thierry Dusautoir.

The flanker captained Les Bleus to the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, where they were beaten 8-7 by McCaw's New Zealand in Auckland.

Dusautoir produced a huge performance in the final and was later named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year for 2011.

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

"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."

Owens has subsequently backed up that verdict.

Asked directly by World Rugby to name the best captain he refereed, Owens again selected the Frenchman.

"If I'd have to pick one, I'd go for Thierry Dusautoir," he said, also describing him as a "gentleman".

Dusautoir finished his international career with 80 France caps, 56 as captain, and was later inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Owens has remained one of rugby's most prominent refereeing voices since stepping away from the international game, recently calling for five changes to rugby.