Nigel Owens is supposed to be refereeing Leinster vs Zebre in the RDS. We say supposed to because as we speak he's rushing to Bristol airport trying to catch an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin.
And it's all because Ryanair wouldn't let him board a flight without his passport. Normal rules dictate that citizens of the United Kingdom only need valid identification (drivers licence) to travel to Ireland and vice versa. As many people will know Ryanair don't follow that rule and ensure that all passengers must present a valid passport before flying.
Unfortunately for everyone's favourite ref, he didn't know that.
@Ryanair I didn't know I had to have a passport and not driving licence for a flight to Ireland. can you help please refin Leinster tonight
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) February 20, 2015
To which Ryanair replied in the most delightfully frank Ryanair way possible:
@Nigelrefowens Hi, as per our terms and conditions here: http://t.co/qM3fvNEUSO traveling on international route you need a valid passport. — Ryanair (@Ryanair) February 20, 2015
Come on Nigel, you're a stickler for the rules. Ryanair are like the benevolent gods of of the airspace between slightly out of town locations. It doesn't matter that governments agree these rules, there's only one ruler here and you have to abide by what they say.
However, the Welshman was having none of it.
@Ryanair so much for your offer of help in an emergency like you offered to do last when I had flight delays aye
— Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) February 20, 2015
@Ryanair not helpful at all — Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) February 20, 2015
Aer Lingus then spotted an opportunity.
@Nigelrefowens Oh no! That's a nightmare indeed, Nigel. You'd be welcome to join us on EI3281 departing at 0825.
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) February 20, 2015
@Nigelrefowens Please check your DMs, Nigel. — Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) February 20, 2015
There's a deal in the works. We'll keep you posted. One way or the other, Nigel is getting to Dublin today.
Update: Ryanair have raised the stakes with an apology and the kind offer of some light reading material.
@Nigelrefowens Sorry to hear about this, you can get all of the relevant info regarding travel docs here http://t.co/NmIxgqtWJS
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) February 20, 2015
Update No.2: We've been in contact with Owens and he has confirmed that Aer Lingus "sorted" him a flight from Cardiff. Score this one to Aer Lingus.
