Owens is the only Welshman to have earned selection although Leighton Hodges is among the seven assistant referees announced earlier today for the tournament which kicks off on September 18.
The other 11 referees who will take charge of the 55 Tests during the tournament are South Africa’s Craig Joubert and Jaco Peyper, England’s Wayne Barnes and JP Doyle, Ireland’s George Clancy and John Lacey, France’s Jérôme Garcès, Romain Poite and Pascal Gauzere, and New Zealand’s Glen Jackson and Chris Pollock.
France will provide three referees in the form of Jérôme Garcès, Romain Poite and Pascal Gauzere. New Zealand, South Africa, England and Ireland will provide two each with Owens, considered by many observers to be the best in the world, from Wales.
The selection was made after a comprehensive review of refereeing performances by the World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee.
Chairman of the selection panel, John Jeffrey, said: “I want to congratulate all 12 referees, the seven ARs and four TMOs, who through very hard work and determination, have made it onto the panel for this year’s Rugby World Cup.
“Since Rugby World Cup 2011, we have been focused on developing a strong panel that can preside over the 48 matches at this year’s tournament. The fact that seven of the referee panel were involved in the 2011 tournament points to the big-match experience that they hold. Indeed, between the 12 of them, they have refereed no fewer than 361 internationals.”
