Nigel Owens is often referred to as one of the best referees in rugby, but not everyone is a fan of his witty style.

Former Ireland international Luke Fitzgerald has called on Owens to stop using one-liners as part of his officiating repertoire.

Owens, who refereed the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, most recently displayed his Welsh wit while in charge of Munster's 10-7 victory over Glasgow at the weekend.

HENRY BROWNE/REUTERS Luke Fitzgerald is not a fan of Nigel Owens' witty banter.

Munster lock Billy Holland threw a poor pass just after Owens had called advantage over and when Holland asked why the play wasn't brought back for the initial infringement, Owens answered.

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"Advantage is over there lads. It's poor play by you there on the pass. Under no pressure there," Owens said.

While Holland took it well and responded "cheers, coach" Fitzgerald said he thought Owens shouldn't be commenting on the game.

"His first focus is to make it a good spectacle, that he referees the game correctly," he told The Left Wing.

"We're heading into a dangerous territory for me."

Fitzgerald mentioned a moment during Leinster's meeting with Munster in December when Owens penalised Leinster prop Cian Healy at a ruck.

"The hands out rule changed three years ago, where have you been?" Owens said to Healy.

"I don't like it personally," Fitzgerald told The Left Wing.

"He is taken seriously, he's a brilliant referee, no doubt about that.

"I just think those kind of things are disappointing and it's disrespectful to the players who are putting in a huge amount of effort.

"There's no place for it in the game. You can't actually speak back. It's almost like a situation where someone is on a podium having a go at someone in the crowd. It's wrong because there's no platform to come back."