Nigel Owens Will Reach A Very Special Milestone This Weekend
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One of the all-time greats.
Nigel Owens will referee his 150th Championship game in the Guinness PRO12 when he takes charge of Dragons v Scarlets at the Principality Stadium on Sunday.
The 45-year-old former World Referee of the Year is the most experienced referee in the Guinness PRO12, taking charge of hist first game on August 30, 2002 which saw Border Reivers take on Connacht.
Owens has gone on to take charge of four Celtic Finals and five European Cup Finals as well the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final.
“It is quite humbling to think that this weekend’s game between Newport-Gwent Dragons and Scarlets in the Guinness PRO12 will be my 150th appearance in the Championship.” Owens said.
“It has been an incredible journey since taking charge of my first Celtic League game in 2002 and it’s fantastic to see how the Championship has progressed to host events such as Judgement Day. For me, the Guinness PRO12 is up there with the big days of international and European rugby because of cross-border clashes, the mix of cultures and the tribal derby games that we see in Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
“As a referee, it’s very rewarding to officiate games in the Guinness PRO12 where the levels of positive play are a match for any tournament in the world. Having been involved in every Judgement Day event so far I can definitely say that these derby games have an extra edge and level of intensity to them.
Nigel Owens career statistics.
Guinness PRO12 Championship
149 Appearances
60 appearances ahead of George Clancy (2nd highest on 89)
4 Finals: 2016; 2015; 2014; 2011
110 Yellow cards
6 Red cards
16 Penalty tries
European Competition
109 total appearances
98 games in the European Cup
5 European Cup Finals: 2008; 2009; 2012; 2015; 2016
2 Challenge Cup Finals: 2007; 2013
International Competition
76 Test games
17 Six Nations
12 Rugby Championship
1 RWC Final: 2015
3 World Cups: 2007; 2011; 2015
