Rugby: World's largest scrum packs down in Wales

Referee Nigel Owens also received the award for most international matches officiated. Photo / Photosport

The record for the world's largest rugby scrum has been broken in Wales overnight, after 1,297 players took part in Cardiff.

The record was set by players at the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival and members of the public, which broke the previous record of 1,198 set at Twickenham in London last year during the Rugby World Cup.

🏉 Crouch, bind, set.@Nigelrefowens refs as 1,297 players set the @GWR in Cardiff for the largest rugby scrum pic.twitter.com/NWLEkqYSB3

— BBC Wales News (@BBCWalesNews) August 24, 2016

Welsh international referee Nigel Owens was on hand to oversee the event, where he was also awarded the Guiness World Record for refereeing the most international rugby matches.

"It's obviously an honour and privilege to get a Guinness World Record," Owens said.

"I didn't referee to get any awards, I started refereeing because I enjoyed the game.

"When people do attempt records it's a challenge. But refereeing is a challenge in itself."