Nigel Owens

Nigel Owens MBE is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He was appointed as an international referee in 2005 and officiated his first international between Ireland and Japan in Osaka that year. He was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France and also refereed at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He is the most capped referee in European competition, having refereed five European Finals. Widely regarded as the first openly gay man to referee at the highest level of rugby union. He overcame personal challenges including mental health struggles as a young man.