Rugby referee Nigel Owens gets honorary fellowship

Rugby referee Nigel Owens gets honorary fellowship

  • Nigel Owens is among the people receiving an honorary fellowship from Welsh universities this week
  • Honours are for those with “outstanding recognition in their field”
  • Owens took charge of the Rugby World Cup final in 2015 and Champions Cup final in 2016
Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens will join novelist Dr Sarah Waters, banking expert Stephen Bird and LGBT role model Captain Hannah Winterbourne to receive honorary fellowships from Cardiff University.

Owens, Cpt Hannah Winterbourne, the Army’s highest-ranking transgender soldier, and novelist Dr Sarah Waters will be honoured by Cardiff University.


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The popular Welshman also appeared in three successive Rugby World Cups, culminating in refereeing the Final in England in 2015, and is the most capped referee in European competition, taking charge of a record six finals.

He also recently became the most experienced international referee of all time when he took charge of his 71st game.



Around 30,000 people will be welcomed to Cardiff for the celebrations and the ceremonies will be broadcast live in the Hayes area of Cardiff, as well as streamed on the University’s website.