Listen to Nigel Owens' ref mic on Sky Sports red button

Saturday’s Champions Cup final is to be refereed by Nigel Owens, an official who has developed a reputation for fairness combined with humour.

Owens has officiated some of the most open, flowing and entertaining matches of the modern era, so it’s no coincidence that he’s often chosen for the most high-profile matches.

For the first time on Saturday, Owens’ ref microphone will be available to Sky Sports viewers on the red button so they can hear his relationship with the Toulon and Clermont Auvergne players, something which sets him apart from the rest of rugby officialdom.

“I suppose a bit of humour does help get the message across,” said Owens. “People always ask whether I prepare what I’m going to say beforehand, but I don’t. I just referee what’s in front of me.

Live European Rugby Champions Cup Final

“I do a bit of preparation before the game on the two teams, and things that I need to focus on such as scrums and contact area. But I’d rather referee what’s in front of me on the day. Let the players go out and express themselves. I step in when I need to blow my whistle or communicate.

“The secret is explaining your decision when you give it so the players understand totally. You’re not there to justify your decision though. This is what the penalty is for, end of discussion. And most of the time players will respect that and get on with the game.

“If you give an explanation it just cuts out the criticism. It’s about getting the balance between clear and precise communication that will prevent an infringement, and not over communicating and making it a running commentary throughout the game. It’s one of the most difficult things to do.

“Maybe I won’t say anything on Saturday. If I do say it’s all in the spur of the moment. There’s a time and place for humour though. The last thing you want to do as a referee is penalise somebody and then make a joke out of it. First of all you’re there to referee a Test match, and that’s your job. Sometimes I look back at what I said and think, ‘why the did I say that?’”

Watch Clermont Auvergne v Toulon live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday from 4pm, and listen to Nigel Owens’ ref microphone via the red button