Gareth Thomas (rugby)

Gareth Thomas (rugby)

Gareth Thomas (born 25 July 1974), known as Alfie, is a retired Welsh professional rugby footballer who played rugby league for the Crusaders RL in the Super League. He also previously played rugby union for the Cardiff Blues and Wales as a fullback, wing or centre.

On 26 May 2007, Thomas surpassed Gareth Llewellyn as the most-capped Wales rugby union player with his 93rd appearance. During the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Thomas scored a try in what was his final game for Wales, and in the process created sporting history when he became the first Welshman to win 100 international caps in rugby union. His cap record was surpassed by Stephen Jones in September 2011. Thomas is listed 12th in the world on the international list of leading Rugby union Test try scorers and he is the 2nd highest Wales try scorer behind Shane Williams.

On 6 October 2010 Thomas became a dual code international when he represented the Wales national rugby league team against Italy at the Wrexham Racecourse Ground. On 25 October 2011 Thomas announced his retirement from professional sport.

According to an article in Sports Illustrated on 3 May 2010, Thomas was notable as the world's only then-current professional male athlete in a team sport who was openly gay, although cricketer Steven Davies, volleyball player Michael Dos Santos and footballers Anton Hysén and David Testo have since come out.a In December 2009 Thomas was voted top of the Pink List in 2010 of the 101 most influential gay people in the UK and he received Stonewall’s Hero of the Year award in October 2010. Thomas is a supporter of Childline and is co-founder of Distinct Management and PR with his manager Emanuele Palladino.