Rugby royalty from around the world have showered Nigel Owens with personal messages of good will and well wishes on the eve of his record-breaking achievement of reaching 100 Tests as a referee.

Owens will become the first referee in history to reach the magical milestone when he takes charge of tomorrow’s clash at Stade de France when France host Italy in the third round of the Autumn Nations Cup.

New Zealand captain Sam Cane, on behalf of the All Blacks, said he always admired the way Owens never took himself too seriously but is an ultimate professional and ‘when it comes to refereeing the game is a great man to have involved in our wonderful sport.’

World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus has congratulated Owens on the way he has been an example ‘for all of us on and off the field.’

“From all of South Africa, the rugby public and all the supporters and players we’d like to thank you and congratulate you on your achievement,” added Erasmus.

Former Wales head coach Warren Gatland said what Owens ‘has achieved for Welsh rugby and world rugby is absolutely outstanding.’

England head coach Eddie Jones said Owens has been a fantastic referee where he has brought humour and candour to the game ‘and helped improve the game so I hope you have another 100 in you.’

Wales team manager, Martyn Williams, himself a centurion, said ‘it was an incredible achievement and milestone to reach 100 internationals, the first person to do so, but thoroughly deserved.’

England referee Wayne Barnes has travelled the world with Owens and reveals how he has always admired the way his Welsh colleague adds value to a game no matter how hard or intense the games are.

Barnes, who is most likely to be the next official to reach the landmark as he is currently in the nervous nineties, says Owens has raised the bar for all referees which has meant everyone else has had to keep up over the last few years!

Australian referee Angus Gardner added Owens was his idol growing up and it was great to have worked with him in recent years ‘and to reach 100 Tests is ‘amazing’

NIGEL OWENS: A REFEREE CAREER IN STATS

The Rugby World Cup 2015 final referee will reach the milestone 17 years after his Test debut in February 2003 when he was in the middle for Portugal versus Georgia in Lisbon.

To mark the occasion, we take a closer look at Owens’ international career.

KEY DATES

Test debut: Portugal v Georgia in Lisbon – 16 February, 2003
50th Test: Ireland v New Zealand in Dublin – 24 November, 2013
71st Test: Fiji v Tonga in Suva – 11 June, 2016 – surpassing Jonathan Kaplan as most-capped referee RWC 2015 Final: New Zealand v Australia – 31 October, 2015
100th Test: France v Italy – 28 November, 2020

STATS (as of 23 November, 2020)

Tests as referee: 99
Tests as assistant referee: 101
Tests as TMO: 9
Total: 209
Yellow cards: 58
Red cards: 3
First yellow card: Daisuke Ohata (Japan, v Ireland on 12 June, 2005)
First red card: Napolioni Nalaga (Pacific Islanders, v France on 15 November, 2008) Tries scored in his tests: 495 – ever test has had at least one try scored in it
Points scored in his Tests: 4,591
Four Rugby World Cups
Rugby World Cup matches as referee: 19
Record-holder for most Six Nations matches as referee: 21
World Rugby Referee Award recipient in 2015