Cup ref stays true to himself with professionalism and comic wit

Referee Nigel Owens during the Rugby World Cup 2015. Photo / Gallo Images

When he blows time-on tomorrow morning, referee Nigel Owens will add a salutary human dimension to rugby's greatest occasion.

It adds humour, and a touch of cabaret. On the field as well as off, Owens has addressed his sexuality with a sharp comic sense. In a BBC profile of the 44-year-old entitled True to Myself, you can watch the gay referee overseeing a wonky lineout and shouting: "I'm straighter than that one."

To come out, in 2007, he leapt out of a closet on Jonathan Davies' TV show and danced to I Am What I Am.

If you want tales of adversity overcome in sport, picture Owens, then 24, overdosing on paracetamol and whisky and passing out on a Welsh mountain with an unused shotgun by his side. The police helicopter ride saved him with 20 minutes to spare.

Reffing a World Cup final is hard enough already without being a symbol. But Owens is not shy about representing those who have transcended ignorance and cruelty. When he escaped his own secret, eight years ago, he asked himself: "Nobody's out in the macho world of rugby. Am I going to be able to carry on?"

Now he adds: "Nobody should have to make that decision."

Homophobically abused in a recent England game at Twickenham, Owens continues to confront prejudice and bullying at a time when newspaper reports of three Premier League players preparing to come out have created a predictable kerfuffle without, yet, an outcome.

Owens' pride extends to his roots, where his declaration never seems to have been a problem.

The final is about the teams and the players but this time the choice of referee adds depth and meaning to the game. He is there, above all, for his professional abilities.

In the BBC film, Gareth Jenkins, the former Wales manager, says: "He's got a clarity and an ability to make every player on that field realise he's the person in charge. They're quite unique qualities."

To impress that on Chris Robshaw, who was arguing with him in an England game, Owens simply said: "Christopher!" Robshaw then left him alone.

Best one-liners

"I'm straighter than that one..."
Comment in a European match when Harlequins hooker makes a shocking crooked throw at a lineout.

"You don't like to scrummage? Well, if you don't, you're in the wrong position."
A fed-up Nigel Owens in a Heineken Cup knockout match where the scrums were a mess.

"Try that again and you can come back in two weeks to play."
Owens to red-faced Scottish player Stuart Hogg after he dived and faked an injury at St James' Park, home of English football club Newcastle United.