You don’t want to get on the wrong side of Nigel Owens. As a referee, he's been laying down the law for the best part of 20 years, in World Cups, Six Nations and the Guinness PRO14. The Welshman has been at the top of his game since his Celtic League debut in 2002, while his quick tongue and waspish wit have helped him generate a cult following. One of his more memorable exchanges came while presiding over Connacht’s home match with Cardiff Blues in November 2016. With both sides slugging it out on a cold night at the Sportsground, Owens had had enough of the players’ constant whining at the breakdown. So, 30 minutes in, he reminded them just what sport they were playing. Owens called over Connacht’s veteran captain John Muldoon and the Blues’ Ellis Jenkins and said:
