Thomas announced he was gay in 2009, becoming the first professional rugby player to do so.

Thomas announced he was gay in 2009, becoming the first professional rugby player to do so.

AS PART OF a new ad campaign ahead of the World Cup, Gareth Thomas – the first opening gay professional rugby player – has spoken candidly about the battle he faced in telling his team-mates about his sexuality.

Thomas played in four World Cups for Wales and stars in a new video produced by Guinness ahead of the forthcoming tournament.

In it, he tells the story of how his greatest fear wasn’t the opposition he faced on the pitch but the fear of rejection from his team-mates and everything he had known because of his sexuality.

“I went into battle on the pitch every week, but the battle I was going through personally was ten times worse because I was keeping a secret from the team,” the former British and Irish Lion says.

“That team becomes like your family – the closest thing to you, and to hide that secret from the team was horrible.

“The support that my team-mates showed when I came out was truly remarkable – my sexuality didn’t matter to them at all.

“I am very proud about my rugby playing career, but I am more proud of the fact that my team-mates supported me to play rugby being Gareth Thomas, being the person that I am, 100%.”

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You’ll see the new ad on your television screens from Wednesday.

You can watch an extended version below: