Fly-half: Dan Carter (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
Owens said: \u201cThere are lots of outside-halves who have been great, but not one who has done it over so many years like Carter.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore the 2015 World Cup, some people said he was past his best and wouldn\u2019t make the New Zealand squad for the tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for Carter to come back from injury and play as well as he did then is a sign of a special player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scrum-half: Agustin Pichot (Argentina) <\/p>\n
Owens said: \u201cI used to love watching Dwayne Peel in his prime as a scrum-half for those few years between 2004-06 with Wales, the Lions and Llanelli. Talented, a great guy, he also has a house just up the road from me!<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019ve just plumped for Pichot who was a great player for the Pumas and also a great ambassador for the game of rugby in general.<\/p>\n
\u201cPichot and Felipe Contepomi were the ones who helped transform Argentina into one of the greatest sides in the world. He was an architect behind their march to the World Cup semi-finals in 2007, which set the trend ahead of their excellent showing in the 2015 tournament, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Loosehead-prop: Gethin Jenkins (Wales)<\/p>\n
Owens said: \u201cHe rarely smiles but has been a terrific player at loose-head prop. When I\u2019ve penalised him and he\u2019s smiled, I know I\u2019d got the decision right!<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, suffice to say, he hasn\u2019t smiled often when I\u2019ve refereed him. Another who has stood the test of time, which speaks volumes about his ability and character.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hooker: John Smit (South Africa)<\/p>\n
Owens said: \u201cHe led the Springboks to success at the 2007 World Cup in France and against the 2009 Lions and is probably one of the greatest captains I have dealt with. He\u2019s a good man and was a very good player at hooker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tighthead-prop: Phil Vickery (England)<\/p>\n
Owens said: \u201cI always had a lot of time for him, found him a decent man, a good player to referee. He wasn\u2019t one of those who would whinge at decisions, he would accept the call and get on with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a player, at his peak with Wasps during their European runs and with England in 2007, he was a formidable force.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust about edges out Carl Hayman, another great player and a pretty honest one as well. When he got it wrong and I penalised him, he would accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n