Rugby referee Nigel Owens says gay abuse 'sad'

The Rugby Football Union is investigating alleged homophobic and racial abuse of referee Nigel Owens during England's loss to New Zealand.

The Welsh official, 43, who is the first openly-gay man to referee at the highest level, took charge of the Twickenham Test on 8 November.

The RFU was told of the abuse by a supporter who was sitting close to where the alleged incident took place.

Owens said he had not realised what had happened until afterwards but he had experienced homophobia from a minority of fans or on a night out and believes it is on the increase.