Former Wales rugby captain reveals he is gay

Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas has revealed he is gay.

"I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost," the 35-year-old told the Daily Mail on Saturday.

"I am a man. Just because you are gay, doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet."

Thomas is Wales's most capped player with 100 international appearances and has scored 41 test tries, ninth on the all-time list.

He played three times for the British and Irish Lions in 2005, captaining the side in the second and third Tests against New Zealand following an injury to Brian O'Driscoll.

"It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo," Thomas said.

"Statistically, I can't be the only one but I'm not aware of any other gay player still in the game."

Thomas, who won the Heineken Cup with Toulouse in 2005 and now plays for Cardiff Blues, retired from international rugby after captaining Wales at the 2007 World Cup in France.

"I've been through all sorts of emotions with this, tears, anger and absolute despair," he said. "I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to let people know, and, to be honest, I feel anxious about people's reactions and the effect it might have on my family."