Nigel Owens ‘humbled’ to officiate RWC final

Welshman Nigel Owens has been appointed to referee Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham, with Ireland’s John Lacey taking charge of the bronze medal match between South Africa and Argentina.

Owens, 44, will emulate fellow Welsh referee Derek Bevan, who controlled the 1991 final — also at Twickenham — when Australia beat England.

It will be Owens’ 68th Test match in the middle, while Frenchman Jerome Garces and England’s Wayne Barnes have been confirmed by World Rugby as assistant referees for the final.