Publisher comments
Nigel Owens is one of the world's leading rugby referees. Highly respected, he has officiated in many of the sport's key matches, including the 2007 Rugby World Cup, two consecutive Heineken Cup finals (one of only two referees to have done so), this year's British and Irish Lions tour
of South Africa, and the infamous recent `bloodgate scandal' match. He is also the only openly gay rugby union referee on the circuit. Before reaching the highest echelons of the rugby world, Nigel Owens had to come to terms with the despair that drove him to attempt suicide as he struggled with his sexuality, bulimia and an addiction to steroids. An inspirational story, his autobiography is a brave and honest account of his personal struggle to overcome fear and prejudice to become one of the most respected and well known personalities in international rugby union. Nigel Owens's warmth and humour (he worked as a comedian in South Wales in the 80s) shine through his story, which is brimming with anecdotes about matches he has refereed and players he has met along the way: from Gavin Henson's first match, to on-pitch altercations with Austin Healey, Lawrence Dallaglio's intimidation tactics, coping with live televised matches, and needing a police escort from the ground in Auch, France, to his thoughts on the recent Heineken Cup quarter final between Harlequins and Leinster on 12th April 2009, which was to rock the foundations of rugby worldwide when Harlequins wing
Tom Williams bit on a blood capsule and faked injury.
of South Africa, and the infamous recent `bloodgate scandal' match. He is also the only openly gay rugby union referee on the circuit. Before reaching the highest echelons of the rugby world, Nigel Owens had to come to terms with the despair that drove him to attempt suicide as he struggled with his sexuality, bulimia and an addiction to steroids. An inspirational story, his autobiography is a brave and honest account of his personal struggle to overcome fear and prejudice to become one of the most respected and well known personalities in international rugby union. Nigel Owens's warmth and humour (he worked as a comedian in South Wales in the 80s) shine through his story, which is brimming with anecdotes about matches he has refereed and players he has met along the way: from Gavin Henson's first match, to on-pitch altercations with Austin Healey, Lawrence Dallaglio's intimidation tactics, coping with live televised matches, and needing a police escort from the ground in Auch, France, to his thoughts on the recent Heineken Cup quarter final between Harlequins and Leinster on 12th April 2009, which was to rock the foundations of rugby worldwide when Harlequins wing
Tom Williams bit on a blood capsule and faked injury.
