Updated at 9.50am

NIGEL OWENS IS due to referee Leinster’s Guinness Pro-12 clash with Zebre this evening at the RDS. That’s if he makes it to Dublin.

The high-profile Welsh official arrived in Bristol airport today for an early morning flight only to find out a driving licence was not a valid form of ID with the airline.

However, the airline had very little sympathy:

Owens was not best pleased:

The 43-year old then mentioned how rivals Aer Lingus don’t require a passport.

And it looks like Aer Lingus heard is plea and tonight’s game will start on time. Phew:

A spokesperson for the airline told The42:

“We were only too happy to welcome Nigel Owens on board our Bristol to Dublin flight this morning.

Aer Lingus recognises the Common Travel Area between the UK and Ireland and as such customers are welcome to travel using photo identification other than a passport.

We hope the good karma created will be evident in the Leinster v Zebre game this evening.”  

- Originally published at 7.54am.

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