Comedian Lee Evan's impression of Nigel Owens is pretty perfect. He pretty much nails Nige's West Wales accent.
Reacting to the video, Nigel Owens commented: "Very funny clip with Lee Evans about Rugby refs,, is he talking about me I wonder with his lovely Welsh Accent."
One fan wrote: "Rugby fans know which ref he's imitating as well,"
A second viewer commented: "His impersonation of Nigel Owens is just fantastic!
Another said: "I love how he sounds so much like Nigel Owens when he does the ref impersonation."
Rugby vs. Football | Lee Evans
Nigel Owens facts:
- Owens started refereeing in 1987, after his sports teacher John Beynon suggested he take up refereeing after a school game
- Scarlets and Wales U20 centre Ioan Nicholas is the cousin of the top referee
- The Welshman supports National League side Wrexham
- He currently holds the world record for the most test matches refereed
- n May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with
Wales on Sunday
Nigel Owens Top Captains:
#5. Chris Robshaw (England)
Owens said: Some people will be surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit, and he was a nice guy off the pitch."
Chris Robshaw facts:
- Born the second of three boys, Robshaw had to cope with the trauma of his father’s death when he was just five years old
- Robshaw, who has a lot of gay friends, is often spotted at events, marching alongside LGBTQ rugby players in London next year.
- The future England star struggled with dyslexia at school, but was able to release his frustation on the rugby pitch
- Boyhood Arsenal supporter Chris Robshaw welcomed England’s red wine change strip in 2012 – because it looks like the kit once worn by his Gunners heroes.
#4. Jean de Villiers (South Africa)
Owens said: "He was not only a great rugby player but also a great leader and a great man. Whenever I came across him on the field, he impressed me."
#3. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Owens said: "He’s right up on any list of rugby’s greatest players.
"Maybe he will be at the top for many people.
"New Zealand won something like nine out of every 10 games in which he led them, but the mark of Richie McCaw was how he conducted himself when the All Blacks lost."
#2. Paul O'Connell & Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
Owens said: "I’m classing this as a joint-ticket as whenever I seemed to ref Ireland in their day O’Driscoll was captain and O’Connell was vice-skipper.
"O’Driscoll actually used to tell me if there were issues with the forwards then I should chat to O’Connell.
I found them excellent to deal with."
Brian O'Driscoll facts:
- He is devoted to Manchester United and his boyhood hero was Mark Hughes
- O'Driscoll married actress Amy Huberman in July 2010 in Lough Rynn Castle
- His father, Frank, played two games for Ireland and an uncle, Barry, won four caps
- He appeared three times for the invitational Barbarians rugby team
- O'Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships
#1. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Owens said: "My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was. He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well."