Gareth Thomas (rugby, born 1974)

Gareth Thomas
CBE
Thomas in 2011
Date of birth (1974-07-25) 25 July 1974 (age 50)
Place of birthSarn, Mid Glamorgan, Wales
(now Sarn, Bridgend County Borough)
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight16 st 3 lb (227 lb; 103 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Pencoed ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994–1997 Bridgend 69 (175)
1997–2001 Cardiff RFC 76 (220)
2001–2003 Bridgend 43 (90)
2003–2004 Celtic Warriors 12 (30)
2004–2007 Toulouse 61 (100)
2007–2010 Cardiff Blues 60 (60)
Correct as of 6 February 2010
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Wales Youth
– Wales U21
– Wales A
1995–2007 Wales 100 (200)
2005 British & Irish Lions 3 (5)
Correct as of 1 June 2008
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
Wales
Rugby league career
Playing information
PositionWing, Centre, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010–11 Crusaders RL 31 28
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010 Wales 4 12

Gareth Thomas CBE (born 25 July 1974)[1] is a Welsh former professional rugby union and rugby league player, who represented Wales in both codes. Nicknamed "Alfie", he was the first Wales rugby union player to play in 100 test matches, and is currently the sixth-most capped Wales player. He is 15th among international try scorers, and is the third-highest Wales try scorer. He also won four rugby league caps for Wales, scoring three tries.

He played rugby union as a fullback, wing or centre for Bridgend, Cardiff, the Celtic Warriors, Toulouse, Cardiff Blues, and Wales. In 2010 he changed codes to rugby league when he transferred from Cardiff Blues to the Crusaders in Super League, and later played for Wales. He retired from rugby in October 2011.[2]

Thomas came out as gay in December 2009.[3][4] The following year he was voted the most influential gay person in the UK in The Independent on Sunday Pink List[5] and received Stonewall's Hero of the Year award.[6]

  1. ^ "Gareth Thomas retires from rugby". BBC Sport. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Wales international Gareth Thomas announces retirement from all forms of rugby". The Daily Telegraph. London. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  3. ^ Smith, Gary (3 May 2010). "Gareth Thomas… The Only Openly Gay Male Athlete". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  4. ^ "Wales rugby legend Gareth Thomas comes out as gay". The Guardian. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 August 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  5. ^ Hugh, Montgomery (1 August 2010). "The IoS Pink List 2010". The Independent. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  6. ^ Law, Peter (6 November 2010). "Rugby star Gareth is Stonewall's hero of the year". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2023.