Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Owens will continue to ref Pro14 and Welsh domestic games

Welsh whistler Owens ends international Test career

Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens has announced his retirement from officiating at Test level.

Neville during the Guinness Pro14 match between Glasgow Warriors and Zebre in February

Joy Neville set for officiating milestone in November

Irish referee Joy Neville will become the first female official to take on Television Match Official duties in a men's international game at the Autumn Nations Cup in November.

Rugby • 24 Sep 20

World Rugby has announced its selection of match officials for the last eight of the tournament which they say is based following 'a full review of performances over the 37 pool matches'

Nigel Owens to take charge of Ireland v New Zealand

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will take charge of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Ireland and New Zealand.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 15 Oct 19

Israel Folau playing for Australia against Ireland in 2016

Owens: Folau's gay comments could push people over edge

Welsh referee Nigel Owens believes comments like Israel Folau's statement that gay people would be condemned to "hell" could contribute to youngsters taking their own lives.

Rugby • 08 Apr 18

Munster were lucky to get away with a penalty try according to Donal Lenihan

Luck & unbelievable grit earned Munster glory - Lenihan

RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan believes that Munster had the benefit of a poor TMO decision and rode their luck at times in their Champions Cup victory over Toulon, but insisted that their win was mostly down to hard work.

Rugby • 03 Apr 18

Nigel Owens: 'There was a huge amount of suffering.'

'Rugby upholds respect better than any sport in world'

Nigel Owens believes the sport of rugby upholds a value that is disappearing in society - respect - and shared his gratitude to the game for helping him to truly find himself.

Rugby • 01 Feb 18

Nigel Owens: 'I would urge anyone suffering to do something - seek professional advice, tell people about it.'

Nigel Owens opens up about battle with bulimia

Welsh rugby union referee Nigel Owens has revealed he has been battling an eating disorder for almost three decades.

Rugby • 23 Jul 17

Nigel Owens will take charge of the final for the fifth time

Nigels Owens to ref Munster's Pro12 final with Scarlets

Nigel Owens has been appointed to referee Saturday's Pro12 final between Munster and Scarlets.

Rugby • 24 May 17

Munster and Leinster learn Champions Cup refs

Romain Poite and Nigel Owens will take charge of Munster and Leinster's respective Champions Cup semi-finals next weekend.

Rugby • 14 Apr 17

Rugby referee Nigel Owens waits to hear advice from a TMO regarding an important decision

Video technology vital to save soccer, says Dunphy

Video technology must be introduced to soccer because cheating is "ruining the game for the players", according to Eamon Dunphy.

Soccer • 23 Jan 17

Robert Snodrass (R) goes down in the Crystal Palace box

Nigel Owens: Diving footballers should be cited

Rugby union referee Nigel Owens has suggested footballers who dive should be cited.

Soccer • 10 Dec 16

Nigel Owens said that a lot of grey areas remain in rugby

Referee Owens calls for rethink on TMO decisions

Rugby's top referee Nigel Owens says too many decisions are referred to the TV Match Official (TMO) and that the over-reliance on the system is starting to erode public confidence in the man in the middle.

Rugby • 15 Nov 16

Nigel Owens: 'Society, rugby and all of the sports have a way to go'

Nigel Owens blown away by support of rugby world

Nigel Owens, international rugby's first openly gay referee, believes the sport has "a way to go" in learning tolerance but professes only huge admiration for the respect the players have shown on the field.

Rugby • 20 Oct 16

Nigel Owens keeps a watchful eye on a New Zealand scrum

Owens happy with World Cup final performance

Welsh referee Nigel Owens has spoken of his delight at having played a small part in one of the greatest Rugby World Cup finals last Saturday as New Zealand saw off Australia in a thrilling encounter at Twickenham.

Rugby • 04 Nov 15

Nigel Owens: 'I would like to thank World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union for their support over many years'

Nigel Owens to referee Rugby World Cup final

Welshman Nigel Owens has been appointed to referee next Saturday's Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Oct 15

Nigel Owens is widely regarded to be one of the world's finest officials

Owens to referee Ireland’s WC clash with France

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will take charge of Ireland’s crunch Pool D Rugby World Cup clash with France on 11 October.

Rugby • 01 Jul 15

Players from Chelsea surround a referee as they appeal a decision

Owens: Soccer must address lack of respect issue

Rugby referee Nigel Owens says that soccer must address the lack of respect shown on the field to the officials and between the players themselves.

Soccer • 24 Mar 15

Fans banned after Owens abuse

The English Rugby Football Union has issued two-year Twickenham bans to two men accused of directing homophobic abuse at referee Nigel Owens, the governing body has announced.

Rugby • 28 Nov 14