Nigel Owens - Profile
He is the second Welshman to referee a Final after Derek Bevan who was the most capped Test referee ever after 44 Tests. On Saturday it will be Owens's 68th Test, just two behind Jonathan Kaplan who holds the record at present.
The other referees who refereed World Cup Finals are Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia), Derek Bevan, Ed Morrison (England), André Watson (South Africa) in two Finals, Alain Rolland (Ireland) and Craig Joubert (South Africa).
World Rugby made the announcement of Owens's appointment on Monday.
In response to the news, Owens said: "This is a huge honour and a privilege for me. I am humbled to have been chosen to referee the World Cup Final."
Not that Owens is a stranger to Finals. He has refereed every Final available to him – European Cup (four times), Amlin Challenge Cup (two) and Pro 12 (three times).
For Owens this is his third World Cup after France in 2007 and New Zealand on 2011 and he has been outstanding in his accuracy, feel for the game and rapport with the players. He himself said of it: "This is my third World Cup and I think it has been the best.
"It has been inspirational. The quality of rugby on display has been incredible in front of packed venues and so to be given the opportunity to referee the Final match between the best two teams in the tournament is an amazing honour."
He is one of the most charismatic referees in the history of rugby football.
Nigel Owens was born in Mynyddcerrig in Carmarthenshire on 18 June 1971. He is a West Walian, speaks Welsh as his first language (His autobiography was published first in Welsh) and sings magnificently – in Welsh and English. After school he was a school technician at Ysgol Gyfun Maes Yr Yrfa Cefneithin and a youth worker with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.
He is great entertainer, involved in three Welsh language programmes, including his own quiz programme Munud i Fynd. He is a member of the Gorsedd of Bards of the Isle of Britain, a society of poets, writers, musicians, artists and individuals who have made a notable contribution to Welsh culture.
He is a quick thinker, known for his quips on the field, all with a deadpan – "What part of No do you not understand?"
