Popular referee Nigel Owens has revealed he plans to hang up his whistle in the next two years after initially planning to retire at the end of the season.
"Well, having had phone conversations with the Welsh Rugby Union, they would like me to continue refereeing… and I’ve told them I would like to carry on as well," wrote Owens in his column for Wales Online.
"So I will be continuing to do just that next season - that’s for sure.
"When next season actually starts, nobody knows. But I’ve made a decision that I won’t be finishing at the end of this season, whenever that ends too.
"I will be refereeing for at least one more year, maybe another after that as well.
"Whether that’s at international level, we just don’t know. That will be up to World Rugby, if they still want me. Hopefully they will.
"But I will carry on at domestic and European level at least - which ends the uncertainty in my own mind - and if I referee well in those games, hopefully the Tests will follow.
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"With the uncertainty surrounding sport at the moment, it would have been a very odd time to call it a day.
"And although it’s not the whole reason I want to carry on, I have to admit that deep down it is part of my thought process.
"I can’t finish like this. It’s nice to know when you are actually finishing after a long career, do it naturally. To know this is your last game, enjoy the nostalgia and the emotions that come with that."
LIST | 20 times Nigel Owens didn’t give a f**k
Nigel Owens: One of the most respected referees in the world and a fantastic sense of humour to go with it!
Here we list 20 of his very best moments on and off the pitch.
1. When someone offered him nudes
2. Destroyed
3. Burn
4. He sure did!
5. Yellow carding the ball boy
6. I'm sure he'd still sort them out
7. Put in his place
8. UFC needs Nigel
9. Brilliant
10. When someone called him a wanker
11. When he challenged the PC police
12. When he walked into a camera
13. "Uhh.. Christopher!"
To Chris Robshaw who was complaining about a French player lying around the base of a ruck.
14. His collection of one-liners
15. "The football stadium is 500 yards that way."
During a Leicester v Ulster match at Welford Road, which is a stone's throw from the King Power.
16. Everyone in!
Owens gets fed up with things as Scarlets and Leinster clash so calls every last player in for a talking to.
17. “I don’t think we’ve met before, but I’m the referee”
Trouble with the kids running riot in the house? Channel your inner Owens awesomeness and let them know you’re the referee of the house.
18. I’m straighter than that
Owens tells Harlequins hooker Dave Ward that he’s straighter than his line out throws…
19. Sorting out parliament
20. The most iconic
Tobias Botas is cut right down to size by Owens with one of the most quotable lines in rugby as he is told “this is not soccer.”
