"Always had plenty to say" - Nigel Owens reveals the five biggest trash talkers in rugby

Trash talk is a part of rugby that is certainly polarizing. Some love the competitive spirit (as long as it doesn’t cross a line) and some see it as disrespectful regardless of how playful it is. Regardless, the skill of getting under a player’s skin and affecting how they play is just another part of the game to some players.

Whether your trash talk is done through playing style, on-field intimidation, or off-field comments, the main goal is to gain a psychological edge on your opponents.

This list is formed from a number of interviews with popular referee Nigel Owens and features current and ex-Rugby players.

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Owens said: "I'm not saying Peter O'Mahony is a dirty player one bit but he certainly has a bit of history. I remember seeing him square up to Sinckler and thinking I'm glad I haven't ran into him in a dark alley. You can hear his loud voice bellow from a mile away."

Owens said: "Definitely. 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 to say to anyone who would listen 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."

"Oh god yes. He's so focused and so passionate about what he's doing, we've had a few run ins on the pitch down the years when keeps talking. I mean, it's always been in a respectful way as we always have a drink and a laugh after the game."

Owens said: "Definitely! Stringer and O'Gara, oh, when you had to referee the two of them together. I always got on well with the both of them though. I have a huge amount of respect for them, but they made my days hard on occasions. They were lippy in a respectful way.”

Owens said: "He is always trying to be funny on the field, in a nice way. You're trying to tell yourself to be serious and he'd wink at you. I saw him get under the skin of even the most calm player."