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Top Welsh referee Nigel Owens has opened up on the alleged homophobic abuse directed his way at Twickenham and declared: “Rugby is about respect... it cannot follow the football route”.

Owens spoke in a candid interview with WalesOnline as he addressed worrying issues which have crept into the game in the last few days and concerned the powers-that-be.

The hugely popular official outlined how:

* An England fan who wrote a letter to The Guardian newspaper complaining about homophobic abuse directed his way during Saturday’s clash with New Zealand should be applauded for raising the matter

* His mates have been shocked by “outrageous” comments shouted at him at matches elsewhere in the past

* He plans to “stick two fingers up” to his abusers by refereeing superbly in this weekend’s big clash between France and Australia in Paris

* He believes the booing of Rhys Priestland during Wales’ defeat to Australia was “totally unacceptable” and he has sent the Scarlets star a text also urging him to prove his doubters wrong.

More:This is not soccer! A guide to rugby matchday etiquette for fans letting themselves down

Claims that homophobic abuse was directed Owens’ way at Twickenham last Saturday came in the form of a letter sent to a national newspaper by England fan Keith Wilson, from south Yorkshire.

He attended the game and spoke of his disgust at what he says he heard from a small section of the Twickenham crowd as Steve Hansen’s world champions battled to a 24-21 victory.

“As a rugby fan, a straight man in his 60s, I could not believe that a bunch of men half my age watching a rugby match in the 21st century could be capable of hurling such nasty, foul-mouthed, homophobic abuse at an openly gay match official,” wrote Mr Wilson.

Owens, widely recognised as amongst the best referees in world rugby, responded by telling us: “I didn’t hear the booing in the stadium, I only heard of it first in the Press.

“I’d be a fool, and anyone would be a fool, to think there’s not a small minority of people who shout abuse, whether it be homophobic or racist or whatever from the stands.

“In my case, of course, it’s more likely to be homophobic. If you think it doesn’t exist or has been eradicated from sport then you aren’t in the real world.

“The guy who sent the letter into The Guardian needs to be applauded really. People like him are the ones who can help to eradicate this sort of thing from rugby.

“I’ve heard it said people like me are the ones raising awareness by coming out or whatever and I suppose that’s true in some ways. I suppose I’ve helped to break down barriers, but the guy who sent in the letter is the one who deserves the pat on the back in my view.

“It’s people like this man who have the courage to bring these problems to the wider attention of people and raise the issue of it.

“It’s definitely a minority who do this sort of stuff but the sad thing is they ruin it for everyone. If more people follow the lead of the chap who sent in the letter we can help eradicate this from rugby and sport in general.”

Watch: Nigel Owens on rugby, coming out and attempting suicide

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The abuse directed at Owens came from a tiny minority of a Twickenham crowd of more than 82,000. But it came on the same day Wales fly-half Priestland was jeered onto the pitch after replacing Dan Biggar during another narrow defeat to Australia for Warren Gatland’s men. The two separate incidents, as well as the booing of Bernard Foley’s kicks at goal for the Wallabies, have raised a debate on the behaviour of certain sections of rugby crowds.

Owens continued: “I remember some of my mates coming to watch games I’ve refereed in. They’ve watched from the side and said to me how they’ve heard some outrageous stuff said about me, homophobic stuff or whatever.

“I think there’s no doubt there are certain sections of rugby crowds which are changing. You can sense the change in attitude and maybe there is an argument to say it is becoming more like football. It is still a minority but it is there.

“We can’t let rugby go down that route. Our game is based on respect for the officials, the players and everyone involved.

“We hear more about crowd trouble, the occasional scuffle and abuse at rugby matches these days, which is a worry.

“You would never have seen a Millennium Stadium crowd booing Rhys Priestland six or seven years ago. There’s a minority coming to rugby today who don’t watch much of the sport – maybe it’s because the game has become more accessible these days, or maybe they’re not true rugby fans.”

Priestland was jeered by audible sections of the Millennium Stadium crowd before he’d even touched the ball after replacing Biggar against Australia.

Wales chief Gatland has challenged his fly-half, who partners Mike Phillips at half-back against Fiji this weekend, to stick two fingers up at his critics... and Owens agrees.

Pictures: The fans' verdict on the Rhys Priestland abuse

“The booing of Rhys was totally unacceptable,” he said. “Rhys will be the first to admit he probably hasn’t played some of his best rugby in the last 18 months or two years. But he’s also played some good rugby in that time and sometimes you have bad days whether you’re a referee or a player. It’s the same in any career.

“I sent a text to Rhys this week as he’s a good friend of mine. He needs to go out there and prove the doubters wrong.

“He has to back himself, go out there with confidence and play. He needs to stick two fingers up to those who booed him - I agree with Warren Gatland on that one.”

Owens continued: “As a player or a referee in international rugby you are the best one there to do that job. Rhys needs to go out there and show just how good he is, because he’s a great player.

“No matter what the public or press say, it comes down to the person who goes out there. They’re the ones who have to show how good they are.

“It’s the same for me too. I’m refereeing France against Australia this weekend which is a massive game. And I need to stick two fingers up to those who shouted abuse at me. I need to go out there and prove them wrong.”

Owens, who revealed he was gay in 2007, knows his profile as one of rugby’s leading lights means he has to stand up and be counted.

“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t affect me - you get disappointed and down when you see it,” said Owens.

“It gets to you but you have to go out there and prove them wrong. It’s about showing your character. You want to show them they won’t push you out of the game you adore. We are only human and when people say horrible things about you, it gets in your mind.

“But it’s also about setting an example to those coming through the system. You want to show them you stood up for yourself and got through it.

“I couldn’t go out and do my job as a referee if comments made by fans or anyone else got to me. I’ve had it since I started as a referee, but for a player it’s different.

“They’re not used to putting up with that stuff from supporters – it’s totally unacceptable. I’ve had to take abuse as a referee and in my case it was a little different.

“I got abuse for refereeing, but when I came out there were then some who didn’t like me as a referee and some who didn’t like me as a person.”

An RFU spokesperson said: “The RFU condemns all forms of discrimination and aims to ensure that all people, irrespective of their age, gender, ability, race, religion, ethnic origin, creed, colour, nationality, social status or sexual orientation, have a genuine and equal opportunity to enjoy rugby union in whatever form, on or off the pitch, at all levels and in all roles.

"We take any allegations of any abuse very seriously and are investigating this matter.”

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