Former Referee Nigel Owens Praises Six Nations Rugby Tournament as the Best Outside of the World Cup

Former referee Nigel Owens has expressed his admiration for the Six Nations Rugby Tournament, hailing it as the greatest annual rugby competition outside of the esteemed Rugby World Cup. Owens, who has officiated matches globally, believes that the Six Nations surpasses the Southern Hemisphere’s Rugby Championship in terms of significance and fervor.

Renowned as ‘Rugby’s Greatest Championship,’ the Six Nations draws Owens’ praise for the unparalleled level of support from fans, both home and away. In a column for Wales Online, Owens emphasized the historic legacy and intense rivalries that make the tournament a standout event in the rugby calendar.

Highlighting the uniqueness of the Six Nations, Owens noted that the tournament’s atmosphere and fan engagement set it apart from other competitions. He underscored the spectacle of matches like England versus Wales, which he views as monumental occasions eagerly awaited by millions of spectators worldwide.

Owens, the first referee to officiate 100 Test matches involving 25 nations, reflected on the prestige associated with officiating Six Nations games. He compared the experience to its Southern Hemisphere counterpart, asserting that the fervent crowds and rivalries make the Six Nations an unparalleled stage for rugby referees.

With a keen focus on the lively atmosphere generated by supporters, Owens contrasted the crowd dynamics in Six Nations fixtures with those in the Rugby Championship, illustrating the unique essence of facing diverse fan bases in the Northern Hemisphere tournament.

Looking ahead to an anticipated clash between Wales and Ireland in Dublin, Owens predicted an electric atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium and throughout the city. He emphasized the rich history and growing intensity of the rivalry between the two nations, highlighting the allure and excitement that define Six Nations encounters.