CARDIFF - Welsh rugby union referee Nigel Owens, the most-capped referee in world rugby, announced on Friday that he has ended his 17-year international career.
Owens became the first referee to officiate in a century of tests when he took charge of an Autumn Nations Cup clash between France and Italy last month.
The 49-year-old said it was the perfect milestone with which to bow out of international tests and the fact that he would not be officiating at the 2023 World Cup in France was a factor in making his decision.
"Nobody has a divine right to go on forever. There comes a time where it's time to move on so international refereeing will come to end now, that France v Italy game was my last test match," Owens said in a statement.
"To go out on 100 is a good time to go. I'm not going to be around for 2023, I don't want to be. I still hope to referee in the Pro 14 and locally in Wales this season and maybe next as well.
"I will certainly continue to referee in the community game because when you are very fortunate to get so much out of something, I think it's hugely important that you give something back to it as well."
With a heavy heart, the time has come to hang up the whistle and boots at international level. I owe more to rugby than rugby will ever owe to me. Thank you for all the support over the many years. 🏉![CDATA[]]>🏴![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>☺️Diolch o galon a hwyl fawr. https://t.co/230HqhLswL
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) December 11, 2020
Owens was the longest serving member of World Rugby's elite international panel, notably taking charge of the 2015 World Cup final between the victorious All Blacks and the Wallabies as well as several European Champions Cup finals.
Owens added that he would be moving into a coaching role with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to train young referees.
"We currently have five referees including myself refereeing at Pro 14 level so it will be exciting to help them make further progress as well as our other upcoming male and female referees," he added.
This was a nice interaction in last year's Championship between @Nigelrefowens and @Jeff_Poirot. #RainbowLaces #RainbowLacesDay pic.twitter.com/T2uFEo6L2I
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) December 9, 2020
Reuters