Legendary referee Nigel Owens got married, now he is starting a family
Rugby NewsThursday, 27 March 2025 at 11:11
Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens tied the knot with his long-term partner, Barrie Jones-Davies, last year.
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The couple, who have been together for several years, exchanged vows in a private ceremony, marking a new chapter in their lives.
Jones-Davies, a primary school teacher, and Owens, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby referees of all time, share not only a deep personal bond but also a passion for farming, which they manage together in the picturesque Gwendraeth Valley.
The 51-year-old Owens, who officiated 100 test matches before retiring in 2020, has remained active in the rugby world through various advisory roles with the Welsh Rugby Union, the United Rugby Championship, and World Rugby.
However, despite receiving a tempting offer from South Africa's Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, to join the Springboks' coaching team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Owens revealed that he had to decline the opportunity.
In his column for
Wales Online, Owens explained that the timing was not right, primarily due to exciting developments in his personal life. “The main reason why I had to turn down the job is because myself and my partner Barrie have some exciting news to share - we are currently in the final stages of the adoption process and will hopefully be starting our family in the coming months,” Owens wrote.
He expressed his excitement about becoming a parent, a journey the couple has been preparing for over the past few years. “There’s not too much I can say at the moment about the process itself, but we are both incredibly excited. It’s something that we’ve spoken about for a few years now and it’s taken a while to get here, but now that it’s happening we can’t wait, although I must admit it’s also a little nerve-wracking,” Owens admitted.
Recognising the immense responsibility that comes with raising a child, Owens emphasised that family must come first. “As any parent will tell you, there’s no bigger commitment than raising a child, so that was obviously the main reason why I decided against the South Africa job in the end. I couldn’t, nor would I want to, go away for the next six months with this happening,” he added.
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28 England players on Andy Farrell's 75-man Lions watchlist
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that a 75-player longlist has been assembled ahead of the 2025 tour to Australia. The competition is fierce, with Farrell admitting there’s no shortage of talent vying for a spot.
Looseheads: Genge and Porter Set to Lead the Charge
Ireland’s Andrew Porter remains the front-runner to start in the No. 1 jersey after his impressive performances in recent seasons. Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman offers a powerful scrummaging option, while Wales’ Nicky Smith is a consistent performer. England is well-represented with Ellis Genge, Bevan Rodd, and rising star Fin Baxter pushing for inclusion.
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Hookers: Sheehan and George in Pole Position
Ireland’s Dan Sheehan has been a standout performer and looks a strong contender to start. His Leinster teammate Ronan Kelleher provides excellent cover, while England’s Jamie George and a returning Luke Cowan-Dickie bring plenty of Lions experience. Dewi Lake is Wales’ leading option.
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
- Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
- Jamie George (England)
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
- Dewi Lake (Wales)
Tightheads: Furlong Leads Strong Contingent
Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong is a near-certainty for the squad, while Finlay Bealham adds versatility. England’s trio of Will Stuart, Joe Heyes, and Kyle Sinckler offer plenty of competition. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson remains a reliable option.
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
- Will Stuart (England)
- Joe Heyes (England)
- Kyle Sinckler (England)
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Locks/Blindsides: Itoje and Beirne Among Favourites
Maro Itoje remains a key figure, with England also supplying George Martin, Ollie Chessum, and veteran Courtney Lawes. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan provide leadership, while Joe McCarthy and Iain Henderson add depth. Scotland’s Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist will compete for spots, while Dafydd Jenkins looks to be Wales’ strongest option.
- Maro Itoje (England)
- George Martin (England)
- Ollie Chessum (England)
- Courtney Lawes (England)
- David Ribbans (England)
- James Ryan (Ireland)
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
- Iain Henderson (Ireland)
- Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
- Scott Cummings (Scotland)
- Grant Gilchrist (Scotland)
Flankers/No. 8s: Doris and Earl Set to Shine
Ireland’s Caelan Doris is a top contender for the No. 8 jersey, while Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony add experience and breakdown prowess. England’s back-row options are loaded, with Tom Curry, Ben Earl, and Jack Willisoffering variety. Scotland’s Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie are strong candidates, while Wales’ Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright bring dynamism.
- Tom Curry (England)
- Ben Curry (England)
- Ben Earl (England)
- Sam Underhill (England)
- Henry Pollock (England)
- Jack Willis (England)
- Tom Willis (England)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland)
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
- Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
- Jack Conan (Ireland)
- Rory Darge (Scotland)
- Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
- Matt Fagerson (Scotland)
- Jack Dempsey (Scotland)
- Jac Morgan (Wales)
- Aaron Wainwright (Wales)
Scrum-Halves: Gibson-Park to Lead the Pack
Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park looks set to retain his spot after an impressive World Cup. England’s Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet will compete for backup roles, while Scotland’s Ben White and Wales’ Tomos Williams round out the options.
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
- Alex Mitchell (England)
- Jack van Poortvliet (England)
- Ben White (Scotland)
- Tomos Williams (Wales)
Fly-Halves: Farrell and Ford in the Mix, Russell a Wildcard
Owen Farrell’s leadership and experience keep him in contention, but England’s George Ford and Marcus Smith offer contrasting styles. Ireland’s Jack Crowley and rising star Sam Prendergast provide alternatives, while Scotland’s Finn Russell remains a game-changer.
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland)
- Jack Crowley (Ireland)
- Owen Farrell (England)
- Marcus Smith (England)
- Fin Smith (England)
- George Ford (England)
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Tom Jordan (Scotland)
Centres: Aki and Ringrose Set to Star
Ireland’s midfield pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose looks set to continue, with Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne adding depth. Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones bring attacking flair to the mix.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
- Huw Jones (Scotland)
Back Three: Lowe and Keenan Lead the Line
Ireland’s back three trio of James Lowe, Hugo Keenan, and Mack Hansen remain front-runners. Scotland’s Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe provide proven finishing power. England’s Elliot Daly and youngsters Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, and Tom Roebuck are pushing for spots.
- James Lowe (Ireland)
- Mack Hansen (Ireland)
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- Darcy Graham (Scotland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
- Tommy Freeman (England)
- Ollie Sleightholme (England)
- Tom Roebuck (England)
- Elliot Daly (England)
Nation Breakdown: Ireland Leads the Way
With a total of 75 players predicted to make the longlist, here’s a breakdown by nation:
- Ireland: 22 players
- England: 28 players
- Scotland: 14 players
- Wales: 11 players
Andy Farrell and his coaching team will have difficult decisions to make as the tour approaches, with intense competition across every position. Expect plenty of surprises when the final squad is announced.
Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?
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