"Integral part of the game" - Nigel Owens launches staunch defence of the scrum

Opinions among fans remain polarised following the controversial last-minute decision by Ben O'Keeffe, which ultimately saw Handre Pollard securing the winning points in their 16-15 semi-final triumph.

Owens wrote on Twitter: "The scrum has always & should be an integral part of the game.

"If you want to lose a huge amount of players who are playing because it’s the scrum that allows them to be a part of it.

"Then De-power it & lose them. Rugby Union is a game for all shapes & sizes and should remain so."

A fan responded, saying: "The scrum has to stay but time should be off until the ball has been put into the scrum. Too much time eaten up resetting scrums for me!"

Owens replied: "Refs to FK delaying setting up of scrums and players to scrum legally and positive with refs being stronger on refereeing of the scrum and happy days."

After retiring from international rugby, Owens has revealed three of the worst rugby stars he ever had to officiate during his career. 

Owens said: “Definitely Healey. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully.

"A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him.

"He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”

Owens said: "Oh god yes, Biggar can be a tricky customer on the field.

"He's so focused and so passionate about what he's doing no matter the game or occasion, we've had a few run ins on the pitch down the years.

"I mean, it's always been in a respectful way and we always have a drink and a laugh after the game."

"The Ospreys scrum-half has actually started refereeing now, but he'd always be in my ear all game when he was a player. He certainly thought he knew the laws then."

OWENS SAID: "Itoje is someone who plays right on the edge. That is what makes him such a great player. He must be so difficult to play against but he’s also difficult to referee and I mean that with the utmost respect. 

"He plays with passion and on the line. It is difficult to tell Itoje not to bring the same confrontation and aggression to the game that he usually does. It would take away from his game.

"You don’t want him to change the way he plays but he needs to pick and choose when he gambles on the situation and when he doesn’t. And understand better those moments when you are under pressure and knowing when, if you take a risk and get it wrong, you will land your team in real trouble."

Owens said: “Definitely! ROG and (Peter) Stringer, oh, when you had to referee the two of them together.

"I always got on well with the both of them though. I have a huge amount of respect for them, but they made my days hard on occasions. They were lippy in a respectful way.”