In an exclusive and fascinating interview with the Champions Rugby Show, the 49-year-old Welshman reveals that pressure comes from, as he puts it, being “one of the recognisable names in refereeing” and from his reputation for letting a game flow where he can.

“I’m pretty relaxed really – nothing much gets to rattle me in one sense - but I feel the pressure, even more than a lot of people,” he says.

“When I go into games, people expect it to be a certain type of game - ‘Nigel’s reffing today, so this is going to be a great game’ - but no, I can’t make the game. The players make the game and I can contribute to it.

“As a referee, you can spoil a good game, but there’s no way can you make a poor game a good one.

“So, I feel that pressure by being – I'm not blowing my trumpet here - one of the recognisable names in refereeing. That comes with extra pressure, because there will be people there who can’t wait to shoot you down.

“It doesn’t really phase me, but I do feel it – maybe like a swan I suppose. Your legs are paddling like hell underneath, but you’re gracefully going over that water I suppose! That’s one of the things I’ve learnt over the years.”

Owens, who has officiated in 113 European Cup matches, has some advice for those wanting to reach the pinnacle of refereeing.

“If you can’t deal or live with the pressure, if it affects you, your performance more than anything, then you’re never going to make it as a top international referee - or you’re certainly not going to stay at the top of the game, “ he says.

“Some referees deal with it in different ways, some referees deal with it better. But, for some referees, the pressure gets to them and that’s when it starts affecting their performances.

“So, you learn over the years really to deal with that pressure – what you do with your preparation, how you deal with something. If you make a wrong decision and you know you’ve made a wrong decision and it could affect the outcome of the game, you can’t let it affect the rest of your performance for that game.”

To listen to the Champions Rugby Show with Nigel Owens, click HERE or listen via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

Even after refereeing six Heineken Champions Cup finals and a world record number of Test matches, Nigel Owens admits he still feels the pressure of officiating games.