Rugby, like football, is a sport that appeals to 'alpha' males and tough guys. It's arguably an even harder and tougher sport than football because the players play without any padding. No current rugby union player came out until 2009, when Welsh international Gareth Thomas broke the taboo and came forward. He waited until towards the end of his career to make the admission, playing on for only one more season after coming out.
Thomas admits that he struggled with his sexuality, marrying his childhood sweetheart in order to fit in with what was expected of him, only divorcing her in 2009 directly before making his announcement. He's said that he doesn't want to be known as 'the gay rugby player,' and says his hope when making his declaration would be that other young gay players felt able to live openly. He's also thrown his support behind UK-based helplines for young people struggling with their sexuality.