I'm proof that you can overcome the dark times, the trauma when you feel you are going nowhere, and still come through to achieve your goals, land your dreams and reach the very top of your profession. Not apparently written with the expectation of a wide audience, enjoyable but could have used another draft | I enjoyed this to the four star level, but I have to be honest that the writing quality is two stars, so an easy balance at three overall. Towards the end of the second half one of the players asked him if he could tell him when there were five minutes remaining and indeed repeated the request a little while later.

It's rare for a referee in any sport to be popular, yet Nigel Owens has always courted strong affection throughout the world - loved by players, coaches, officials, TV commentators and even fans. Nigel made history by becoming the first referee to reach the 100-Tests landmark, took charge of the 2015 World Cup final at Twickenham, officiated a record number of Six Nations games and European club finals, and was in the middle as some of the most epic matches in the sport unfolded.

It's very different to being a referee, but I love it, I really do," says Owens, who explains being a farmer was always his ambition. A lot of people helped support me back in the day and if going public myself helps others, then that's good. He becomes a farmer, looking after a pedigree herd of Herefords near the home he shares in Pontyberem with his partner Barrie.

There were periods when he took took many steroids or found comfort in eating too much and other passages in his life when bulimia affected him badly. But it is Owens' back story, an attempt to commit suicide in his mid-twenties and then having the courage to come out as gay in the macho world of rugby, which helps make him such a high-profile figure. Ail ran hunangofiant Nigel Owens, un o ddyfarnwyr rygbi enwoca'r byd ac un o'r ddau ddyfarnwr Cymreig i ddyfarnu gêm derfynol Cwpan Rygbi'r Byd. The story of the second half of Nigel's career as one of the most famous referees in World Rugby and one of only two Welsh referees ever to officiate at a Rugby World Cup Final, including the full story of his last Rugby World Cup in 2019. The story of the second half of Nigel's career as one of the most famous referees in World Rugby, and one of only two Welsh refs ever to officiate at a Rugby World Cup Final.He is the author of Barry John: The George Best of Rugby (Mainstream Publishing, 2000) and Gary Speed Remembered (Andre Deutsch Ltd, 2012). Shipped packages to mainland UK destinations should arrive between one to two working days from despatch. This book gives a good insight into the world of professional rugby refereing and how those systems work - something I hadn't thought much about before.

One of the policemen was a bit overweight, his helmet slipping, he was having to put his hand up to make sure it stayed on his head whilst running as hard as he could. Had it not been for the heat sensors of a police helicopter he might have died alone that night on Mynydd-y-Ddraenen, the appropriately named Mountain of Thorns.

I think some of the continuous emphasis that none of the viral moments were said with that as the goal could have been edited out. He also details in the book a lovely letter of apology and support he received from then RFU chairman Bill Beaumont, the former Lions captain, "telling me he was horrified by what had happened and stressing I was always welcome at Twickenham. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. I know from personal experience what some people may be going through, those who might be struggling coming to terms with their sexuality in the way I once did.