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Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Nigel Owens considers permanent rugby comeback as referee next season
Nigel Owens considers permanent rugby comeback as referee next season Owens retired from referring in 2020 but could now be returning every weekend from next season Nigel Owens refereed in an anniversary match over the weekend. (Image: London Welsh RFC ) Nigel Owens is considering a permanent return to rugby. The legendary referee returned to officiate Lampeter Town RFC v London Welsh in west Wales over the weekend in a 150th anniversary game. Before that, the last time the Welshman refereed was France v Italy in his 100th Test match in autumn 2020. Owens spoke to after the game, and detailed his thought process around returning to the game. The final score was 60-24 to London Welsh, with Owens revealing how much he enjoyed his return and his plan going forward. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "I actually refereed a game here when they opened the new clubhouse 10 years ago," Owens said. "I was always hoping to carry on refereeing the community game, but I've been so busy over the last four years, between everything, I haven't had time to be honest. I may start back next year. "When they asked, I thought: 'Quiet time of the year', it's great to be back." Article continues below Owens was then asked whether he enjoyed returning after a number of years away from the game. "It was a bit of a Barbarians game, really, wasn't it! It was very, very enjoyable, a great crowd here as well, and the atmosphere. I enjoyed it. I was quite pleased with myself that I lasted the 80 minutes, actually!" You can watch the footage below. Content cannot be displayed without consent Since he hung up his boots, Owens has worked as a World Rugby expert and as a mentor for the Welsh Rugby Union for new referees coming through the system. He spends most of his time on his farm in the Gwendraeth Valley tending to his Hereford cattle. Speaking in his WalesOnline column last year, Owens spoke about his dream of being a farmer and rugby helped him achieve that. "Since eight years of age, my goal was to be a farmer," he began. "And I saved up over the years to achieve it, buying a smallholding with my partner Barrie. It had been such a dream for me that when the tournament was over in Japan, I couldn't wait to get back home and start the next chapter of my life. "I'm so grateful to have had something like that to focus myself on. If I had nothing else to look forward to after finishing refereeing and it had all just ended overnight, I probably would have struggled like a lot of referees have done when their careers have ended. Article continues below "As I say, it's a huge adjustment and in every sport, there are players, coaches and officials who have struggled with their mental health when they retire." Read more here.
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Nigel Owens comes out of retirement to take charge of first rugby match in four years
Nigel Owens comes out of retirement to take charge of first rugby match in four years The Welsh referee will be in the middle once again on Saturday after years away from the sport Referee Nigel Owens (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Legendary Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens is coming out of retirement to take charge of a match for the first time in four years, he has announced. Owens, who was widely regarded as the best referee in the game during his career, will pick up his whistle for a special 150th anniversary match between Lampeter Town RFC and London Welsh on Saturday. He said in a post on social media: "BREAKING NEWS: I'm back. After 4 years I am picking up the whistle again tomorrow for a special 150 years anniversary celebrating Lampeter RFC in their match versus London Welsh. Hope the legs will last the 80 mins." Owens last match as an international referee was the Autumn Nations Cup game between France and Italy in November, 2020. It was also his 100th game as a Test referee. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby Since retiring he has held roles as a World Rugby expert and also works for the WRU as a mentor to referees coming through the system. He was added to Warren Gatland's coaching staff during last year's autumn internationals but did not continue with the role following that campaign. Owens time these days is largely spent working on his farm in west Wales, where he lives with husband Barrie. WalesOnline columnist Owens wrote of his new career: "Retiring from something is always a big adjustment but what was helping me deal with all of it coming to an end after 35 years of refereeing was knowing that I had another interest to pursue in my retirement - and that was farming. Article continues below "Since eight years of age, my goal was to be a farmer and I saved up over the years to achieve it, buying a smallholding with my partner Barrie. "It had been such a dream for me that when the tournament was over in Japan, I couldn't wait to get back home and start the next chapter of my life. "I'm so grateful to have had something like that to focus myself on. If I had nothing else to look forward to after finishing refereeing and it had all just ended overnight, I probably would have struggled like a lot of referees have done when their careers have ended. "As I say, it's a huge adjustment and in every sport, there are players, coaches and officials who have struggled with their mental health when they retire." Owens refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup final as well as several European club finals during a glittering career that included numerous memorable moments. The 53-year-old has also used his platform to help many people struggling with mental health issues and facing prejudice. In May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with Wales on Sunday, revealing he had attempted suicide at the age of 26 as he struggled to cope. Article continues below As well as farming and his continuing rugby roles, Owens is also a co-presenter of popular S4C show Jonathan with Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies and Sarra Elgan. His rugby return will take place at 2pm on Saturday. Lampeter Town RFC have already celebrated their 150th year in style by winning Admiral National League Two West and earning promotion to League One for next season.
