Nigel Owens slams Owen Farrell-like behaviour in rugby

He used the England captains constant backchat during England's Six Nations win against Italy as the latest example of the dirty habit that is cereeping into the game.

“huge respect for Owen Farrell both as a player and a person”, that “there was too much chat from him to the referee. That must stop," wrote Owens. in his column for the Mail Online

“He never did that with me. Every time I referee, I tell the players that there is a time and a place for a conversation,” Owens wrote for the Daily Mail.

“If they want to discuss something, they have to do it in the right manner. That is one of the game’s values.

“It is up to the referees to keep strong and stay on top of things like that. We don’t want to see it creeping in.”

Playing rugby at school, his team hadn’t won a game all year, and needed to kick a conversion for victory. It was Nigel’s moment of glory. But it didn’t go to plan. The ball “went closer to the corner flag than it did to the uprights. I was a laughing stock in the school.” His coach suggested, rather forcefully, that it might make more sense for him to oversee the games rather than play in them.

OWENS SAID: "There are lots of outside-halves who have been great, but not one who has done it over so many years like Carter. Before the 2015 World Cup, some people said he was past his best and wouldn’t make the New Zealand squad for the tournament. But for Carter to come back from injury and play as well as he did then is a sign of a special player."

OWENS SAID: "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. He’s been playing at lock for 10 years and remains one of the first names on the Wales team-sheet, which says everything about his ability."

OWENS 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. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch."

OWENS SAID: "The greatest Wales player of all-time. I'd be in big trouble if I didn't mention him."

OWENS SAID: If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Edwards. How McCaw managed to put his body on the line and sometimes the wrong side at rucks for so many years at flanker is incredible. A terrific leader."