"Not Today, Nigel" – World Rugby Shuts Down Nigel Owens' Call for Law Change
Rugby NewsWednesday, 09 April 2025 at 11:05
Legendary referee Nigel Owens has never been one to shy away from bold opinions—and his latest suggestion could rattle the very foundations of modern rugby.
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Speaking on Whistle Watch, World Rugby’s weekly breakdown show, the Welsh whistle-blower revealed the one change he’d make if he had the chance to rewrite the laws from scratch: scrap tactical substitutions.
No more big men break time
Asked by Ben John what law he’d erase to improve the flow of the game, Owens didn’t hesitate.
“The first thing I’d do is reduce the amount of substitutions,” he said. “I think eight players on the bench is too much.”
But it’s not just about numbers. Owens wants to go old school—back to the days when replacements were for genuine injuries only, not tactical shake-ups.
“It can only be, as it used to be years ago, for an injured player,” he added. “I think that would open the game up. You’d have players playing the full 80 minutes and instead of carrying 130kgs, they might have to carry 115kgs because they need to last the full match.”
Translation? Fewer impact subs, more gas in the tank, and a faster, leaner game.
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World Rugby’s cautious stance
While Owens’ idea may thrill traditionalists, don’t expect World Rugby to implement it any time soon. CEO Alan Gilpin confirmed the governing body had studied the issue—but the science just doesn’t back the fear that “bomb squad” benches are hurting players.
“We looked at it from a science, medicine perspective,” Gilpin told The Guardian. “The science said that’s not the case. So there was no reason from that perspective to look at how we might do replacements differently.”
Even World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson admitted that bench splits like the 7-1 formation raise questions about the game’s spirit—but for now, the laws stay as they are.
So, while Nigel’s vision of lighter forwards and non-stop action remains a fantasy for now, don’t be surprised if the conversation heats up in the coming years.
EDITORS PICKS:
– and his picks are bound to raise a few eyebrows.
Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions
Wales legend Dan Biggar has officially called time on his playing career, but not before dropping a blockbuster British & Irish Lions XV on The Rugby Pod
The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton’s podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there's no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.
Here’s how Biggar’s team shaped up…
Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
It’s an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster's dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.
Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne
4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne
5. Tadhg Beirne
England’s Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He’s paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.
Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)
6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England’s Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland’s Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who’s fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.
Livewire half-backs: Gibson-Park & Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Finn Russell
10. Finn Russell
Gone are the days of conservative Lions 9-10 combos. Biggar’s gone full jazz here. Gibson-Park brings the zip, and Russell… well, Russell brings the flair. The Scotland maestro’s creativity earns him the No.10 jersey over Biggar himself – no ego here.
Fire on the flanks: Lowe & Kinghorn
11. James Lowe
14. Blair Kinghorn
14. Blair Kinghorn
Two versatile Scots fill the wing slots, with Kinghorn’s blend of size and speed complementing Lowe’s relentless work rate and booming left boot. Biggar clearly values adaptability out wide – and a bit of flair never hurts.
Caledonian connection in midfield: Tuipulotu & Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
13. Huw Jones
13. Huw Jones
The Glasgow Warriors pairing have formed one of the deadliest centre combos in rugby, and Biggar’s kept them together. It’s a bold call, but one based on form and synergy rather than reputation alone.
Rock-solid fullback: Hugo Keenan
15. Hugo Keenan
No surprise here – Keenan has been Ireland’s Mr Consistent, and Biggar trusts him to be the safety net at the back. His positioning, aerial ability and counter-attacks make him a nailed-on pick.
The bench: a mix of muscle and mischief
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Zander Fagerson, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith
It’s a stacked bench with serious impact. Genge and Fagerson bring brute force, while Earl and Morgan cover the back row with pace and punch. Marcus Smith adds some stardust, and Mitchell offers serious tempo at
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