Toulouse (AFP)

The most famous referee in the world of rugby, Welshman Nigel Owens, ends his international career at 49, after 17 years and 100 matches refereed at the highest level, a record, announced Friday the Welsh Federation (WRU).

Owens, who notably led the 2015 World Cup final won by New Zealand against Australia, will have refereed his last international match at the Stade de France on November 28, for the Fall Nations Cup meeting. between France and Italy (36-5).

His international career began with a Portugal-Georgia in February 2003 in Lisbon.

"One hundred matches is a good time to go," said the Welshman, who will however continue for a season or two to referee Pro 14 fixtures and Welsh club competitions.

He will also start training Welsh officials.

- British humor -

Owens, who has participated in 4 World Cups (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019), was also the first high level referee to publicly discuss his homosexuality and the suffering he went through to accept it and make it accepted.

"If you are not allowed to be yourself and be happy with yourself, you cannot enjoy life or give your best," he said in the WRU statement.

"It is essential that we are all treated equally, judged on our character and nothing else."

In addition to the 2015 World Cup final, the celebrity from the village of Mynyddcerrig, near Llanelli in south-west Wales, will have led 7 European Cup finals and 21 matches in the Six Nations Tournament, again a record.

This referee, known for his very British humor and his theatrical side, became in 2016 during his 71st test match, the most capped referee in history, a record he pushed to reach the bar. of the 100 international matches refereed in November.

The Blues will have crossed his path a trifle 24 times, as much as the English and once less than the All Blacks.

Owens encourages young players struggling to break through at the highest level to try their luck as a referee.

"I've traveled all over the world for a large part of the last 20 years, played a small part in the biggest rugby parties and you could have one too by taking the whistle," said the Welshman.

© 2020 AFP