Ref Owens a twit to tweet, says Johnson

NIGEL OWENS is once again embroiled in a social networking debate, after Ospreys boss Scott Johnson claimed it was “lunacy” that the international referee was allowed use Twitter.

Owens will take charge of Monday’s RaboDirect Pro 12 derby between Ospreys and the Scarlets knowing the former’s director of coaching wants rugby’s authorities to “temper” social network sites’ use.

“He is on social networks talking to opposition players,” said Johnson. “He posted the last time we played them apologising to the Scarlets supporters for forward passes. When you start that, you open up a can of worms. That can have unfair accusations labelled against people. The sport can do without it.”