Referee Owens to beat Test match record

Paris - Welsh referee Nigel Owens will set a new Test record on Saturday when he officiates an international match for the 71st time, World Rugby said on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old will take charge of the Pacific Nations Cup match between hosts Fiji and Tonga in Suva.

Owens, who is openly gay, began his international refereeing career in 2003.

He will surpass the record he currently shares with South African Jonathan Kaplan.