Retiring Nigel Owens selects the FIVE best players he refereed

Friday, 27 November 2020 at 16:59

byRugby Rucker

Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens has confirmed that his 100th test match this weekend will likely be his last international in an exclusive interview with the Telegraph.

Already the world’s most-capped referee – he broke Jonathan Kaplan’s record of 70 appearances back in June 2016 – Owens becomes the first to reach three figures nearly 18 years after making his debut as the man in charge.

“There is a sense that things are coming to an end." revealed Owens.

"This season will be my last at Test level, and probably professionally as well. It will be.

"I can understand that if I am not going to be around for the World Cup in three years’ time, they are not going to pick me now.

“I will savour the moment. You have to enjoy every day as if it is the last because one day you will be right. I am going to enjoy this game because one day it is going to be my last, and this could be it. I would be disappointed if it was.”

Owens, who named his all-time dream team a few years back, also selected five players for extra praise.

1. Sergio Parisse (Italy)

"I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game."

2. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

"Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory."

3. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

"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."

4. Phil Vickery (England)

"I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a great player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it. Such a good scrummager."