IN A MOVE THAT HAS THRILLED RUGBY FANS ACROSS THE GLOBE, LEGENDARY REFEREE NIGEL OWENS HAS MADE A SURPRISE RETURN TO THE PITCH — FOUR YEARS AFTER HANGING UP HIS WHISTLE. Competition: Get a

Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia __ The 52-year-old icon of the game announced his unexpected comeback on social media, confirming he would take charge of a special fixture between

Lampeter RFC and London Welsh to mark Lampeter’s 150th anniversary. > “I’m back,” Owens posted. “After four 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 minutes.” True to form, Owens delivered — and then some. After the match, he

officiating regularly — with some even dreaming of a dramatic return to the international stage. On X (formerly Twitter), the sentiment was unanimous: > “Get him back in the Test arena!”

> “Best in the business. Rugby’s not been the same without him.” > “One game’s not enough, Nigel – we need more!” Owens, widely regarded as one of the greatest referees in rugby

history, officiated over 100 Test matches during his glittering career, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. Since retiring in 2020, he’s remained a prominent voice in the sport as a

pundit and columnist — but fans have clearly missed his presence in the middle of the field. Whether this comeback is a one-off or a teaser of more to come, one thing’s clear: the rugby

world still has a special place for Nigel Owens. NIGEL OWENS RANKS THE BEST RUGBY CAPTAINS WITH SURPRISE NUMBER ONE GET READY FOR A SURPRISING REVELATION FROM RENOWNED RUGBY REFEREE NIGEL

OWENS, AS HE UNVEILS HIS LIST OF THE TOP FIVE CAPTAINS HE HAS OFFICIATED. The popular referee selected HIS PICKS FOR WALES ONLINE, but set out at the start that he wouldn’t be picking any

Welshman in his selection. “I am not going to include any Welsh players on my list because I haven’t refereed them in international matches. “Anyway, these are my top Test skippers ranked,

Welshmen aside.” _Join the RUCK’S WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE and get the latest news sent straight to your messages._ NIGEL OWENS: MY TOP 5 CAPTAINS #5. CHRIS ROBSHAW (ENGLAND) The flanker is a

former English rugby union player who captained the national team from 2012 to 2015. Known for his exceptional work rate and leadership skills, Robshaw was a dynamic flanker who made a

significant impact on the field. He enjoyed a successful club career with Harlequins, where he played for over a decade. Robshaw’s dedication and commitment to the sport earned him numerous

accolades and the respect of his peers. Off the field, he is admired for his philanthropic efforts, using his platform to support various charitable causes. OWENS SAID: “Some people will be

surprised at this one to start off. His misfortune was perhaps to be leading England during a difficult time, but he always gave everything for the cause, encouraging others to follow suit,

and he was a nice guy off the pitch.” #4. JEAN DE VILLIERS (SOUTH AFRICA) He is a retired South African rugby union player who made a lasting impact on the international stage. As a

versatile back, he showcased his skills and leadership abilities as the captain of the Springboks from 2012 to 2015. De Villiers’ playing career spanned over a decade, during which he

exhibited exceptional athleticism and a powerful presence on the field. He was widely respected for his tactical knowledge, unwavering commitment, and ability to inspire his teammates. De

Villiers remains an influential figure in the rugby world and continues to contribute to the sport through coaching and commentary. OWENS SAID: “He was not only a great rugby player but also

a great leader and a great man. Whenever I came across him on the field, he impressed me.” #3. RICHIE MCCAW (NEW ZEALAND) McCaw is a legendary New Zealand rugby union player widely regarded

as one of the greatest openside flankers in the history of the game. The flankers career was defined by his exceptional skills, relentless work rate, and unparalleled leadership abilities.

He captained the All Blacks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015, solidifying his status as a true icon of the sport. Known for his ability to win turnovers and

dominate the breakdown, McCaw’s impact on the game was immeasurable. Beyond his playing career, he continues to be an influential figure, inspiring future generations of rugby players. OWENS

SAID: “He’s right up on any list of rugby’s greatest players. “Maybe he will be at the top for many people. “New Zealand won something like nine out of every 10 games in which he led them,

but the mark of Richie McCaw was how he conducted himself when the All Blacks lost.” CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO -------------------------