A HOLLYWOOD film about retired Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas has been relocated to Ireland over fears American viewers don’t know enough about Wales or rugby to engage with the original story.

After three years of talks between Thomas and Irish American actor Mickey Rourke about the feature - which was inspired by the Welshman’s coming out as the first openly gay professional rugby player in 2009 – insiders have revealed that it will now be set in the Emerald Isle.

Rourke will now play the character Mick “The Blade” Collins in the production, due to be called Irish Thunder, The Sun reported over the weekend.

“Gareth was upset about being cut out, but hopes the story raises awareness of how hard it is for gay sportsman to come out,” the source claimed.


“Nobody in America really understands rugby and there are fears they wouldn’t know much about Wales either,” they added

“The film is very much inspired by Gareth’s story, but a lot has been changed and the action has been moved to Ireland.

Filming is expected to begin later this year.