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Nigel Owens is not only the world’s greatest referee, he makes a pretty good master of ceremonies... and a damn decent rugby selector, too!

The man who took charge of the World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia acted as MC for a WRU function at the Principality Stadium which saw the governing body announce a joint partnership extension with Welsh brewer Brains and also Heineken.

While Nigel was there, we thought we would put him on the spot by asking him to name the best players he has had the privilege to referee.

Given Owens will have officiated more Test matches than any other referee in June, when he eclipses South African Jonathan Kaplan and takes charge of his 71st international, let’s just say the choice available to him was pretty wide.

Video: Nigel Owens pulls out a PHONE during a match

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In fact, it was nigh on mission impossible for Owens who says: “The more I think about this, the harder the task. I’ve been fortunate enough to referee so many truly great players and people down the years. It’s not hard to pick 15 players, the difficulty comes in who to actually leave out.”

Nonetheless, only XV can make a rugby team, so eventually the choices had to be boiled down.

This is the Nigel Owens dream World XV. It’s a pretty decent line-up, as you will no doubt agree.

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15 Israel Folau (Australia)

(Image: Getty Images)

Crikey, the first position in the team and I’m already spoilt for choice. Leigh Halfpenny is a truly great player, while Lee Byrne was another who always shone when he played for Wales.

For me, it’s nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them. Leigh is brilliant because under the high ball and with his kicking at goal under pressure. He may not always break the line when running but puts his body on the line in defence and is a top-notch match-winner.

But I go for Folau - only just, I should stress - because of his ability to seemingly beat his man every time he gets the ball in his hand. He’s such an exciting player and like Leigh he is one of the best under the high ball.

It’s a toss of a coin for me... and it’s come down in Folau’s favour.

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14 Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Another really tight call for me because I’m a huge admirer of Julian Savea, who was brilliant for New Zealand at the World Cup and in particular during the quarter-final against France in Cardiff.

But how can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He’s so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.

I know he’s a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing. He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.

When you see who is on the other wing in my team, you’ll see how they would work brilliantly in tandem.

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13 Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

(Image: Getty Images)

Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he’s a fantastic man off the field as well. O’Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.

A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch.

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12 Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)

He’s another brilliant player and after every game, win or lose, he would come up and give me a hug. Ma’a has always found time at after-match functions or at breakfast if we’ve been staying at the same hotel to come over and have a chat.

What a player, mind, too. One of the stalwarts of the New Zealand side for so many years.

11 Shane Williams (Wales)

When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it’s pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I’ve been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.

But if I’m pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.

He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps.

Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that.

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10 Dan Carter (New Zealand)

There are lots of outside-halves who have been great, but not one who has done it over so many years like Carter.

Before last year’s World Cup, some people said he was past his best and wouldn’t make the New Zealand squad for the tournament.

But for Carter to come back from injury and play as well as he did then is a sign of a special player.

Still in dominant form for his club Racing Metro in France.

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9: Agustin Pichot (Argentina)

I used to love watching Dwayne Peel in his prime as a scrum-half for those few years between 2004-06 with Wales, the Lions and Llanelli. Talented, a great guy, he also has a house just up the road from me!

But I’ve just plumped for Pichot who was a great player for the Pumas and also a great ambassador for the game of rugby in general.

Pichot and Felipe Contepomi were the ones who helped transform Argentina into one of the greatest sides in the world. He was an architect behind their march to the World Cup semi-finals in 2007, which set the trend ahead of their excellent showing in the 2015 tournament, too.

Video: Your guide to refereeing signals with Nigel Owens

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1 Gethin Jenkins (Wales)

He rarely smiles but has been a terrific player at loose-head prop. When I’ve penalised him and he’s smiled, I know I’d got the decision right!

But, suffice to say, he hasn’t smiled often when I’ve refereed him. Another who has stood the test of time, which speaks volumes about his ability and character.

2 John Smit (South Africa)

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He led the Springboks to success at the 2007 World Cup in France and against the 2009 Lions and is probably one of the greatest captains I have dealt with. He’s a good man and was a very good player at hooker.

3 Phil Vickery (England)

I always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a good player to referee. He wasn’t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it.

As a player, at his peak with Wasps during their European runs and with England in 2007, he was a formidable force.

Just about edges out Carl Hayman, another great player and a pretty honest one as well. When he got it wrong and I penalised him, he would accept it.

4 Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

A man of few words, he does his talking on the field with his actions. Not only is he a brilliant player and a very good captain but I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything.

He’s been playing at lock for 10 years and remains one of the first names on the Wales team-sheet, which says everything about his ability.

5 Paul O’Connell (Ireland)

Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory.

Never took a backward step, stood tall and was a man others would follow.

6 Thierry Dusautoir (France)

I was tempted to for Jerome Kaino here. There was a programme on television the night before the World Cup final and Kaino came up to me at the final whistle and said: ‘I watched that documentary last night and it was really inspiring’.

For a bloke who’d just won the World Cup to say that was so impressive and quite emotional. Kaino can play as well.

But I’m going to just give the nod to Dusautoir, who was a truly great captain of France. Win or lose, he was the same at the after-match function. He’d always say thank-you and was extremely polite.

Helped lead France to the 2011 World Cup final when he was also named world player of the year.

He was right up there as one of the best captains I have refereed and we greatly respected one another.

7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Even though there’s been David Pocock and others in this position, how can I not go with Richie?

If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards.

How McCaw managed to put his body on the line and sometimes the wrong side at rucks for so many years at flanker is incredible.

A terrific leader.

8 Sergio Parisse (Italy)

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game.

Maybe there’s a tendency to try and do too much because he’s been in an Italy or Stade Francais team which hasn’t been at its best, but he’s been extraordinary.