Two England stars feature in Nigel Owens dream Six Nations XV

It’s actually interesting to note that the majority of the players that Nigel Owens picked are captains. The entire pack have captained their countries.

Here is the Welshman’’s best XV of players he’s refereed in the Six Nations…It’s a pretty decent line-up, as you will no doubt agree.

Owens , but we got him to change the players from outside Europe

1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales) - “He rarely smiles but has been a terrific player at loose-head prop. When I’ve penalised him and he’s smiled, I know I’d got the decision right!”

3. Phil Vickery (England) - “I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a good player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the vall and get on with it”.

4. 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”.

5. 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”.

6. Thierry Dusautoir (France) - Dusautoir “was a truly great captain of France. Win or lose, he was the same at the after-match function. He’d always say thank-you and was extremely polite. Helped lead France to the 2011 World Cup final when he was also named world player of the year. He was right up there as one of the best captains I have refereed and we greatly respected one another”.

8. 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”

13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) - “Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow”.

11. Shane Williams (Wales) - “He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that”.

“He is so quick and direct. One of the best around today."