Nigel Owens MBE is recognised as one of the world’s best rugby referees and is the first openly gay man to come out in professional rugby. Born and bred on a council estate in Mynyddcerrig, West Wales, and a fluent Welsh speaker, he first picked up the referee whistle aged 16 after he was told he wouldn’t make it as a player. Owens officiated his first international game in 2005 between Ireland and Japan in Osaka and he made his World Cup debut in 2007 in France.

He retired from international rugby in 2020 after becoming the first person to officiate 100 test matches. Undoubtedly, his career highlight was the 2015 World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham, but he is also the only referee ever to be appointed for three consecutive Heineken Cup finals (2015, 2016 & 2017) as well as refereeing another three in 2008, 2009 & 2012 making it a record six European Cup finals.