Nigel Owens calls for radical law change after 'dull' weekend

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Monday, 30 November 2020 at 15:21

bySteven Smith

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Popular referee Nigel Owens has revealed the law change that he believes would help make international rugby even more entertaining.

“The law I would like to change is the substitution law," revealed Owens.

"I think eight subs is far too much. I think if you reduce that to five, maybe even four, and you can only use them at certain times in the game and the way substitutions are used, I think it will help reduce the size of players by a few kgs.

“You will actually see them try and find space instead of looking for the inside shoulder, to try and beat the man rather than trying to run through them.

"I think that would contribute hugely to the game, but there are a lot of things we can do as referees.”

Retiring Nigel Owens selects the FIVE best players he refereed

1. Sergio Parisse (Italy)

"I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game."

2. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

"Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory."

3. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

"A man of few words, he does his talking on the field with his actions. Not only is he a brilliant player and a very good captain but I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything."

4. Phil Vickery (England)

"I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a great player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it. Such a good scrummager."