Folau call was TV turn-off for Gareth

GARETH Thomas “refused” to watch the Barbarians vs World XV match last month due to the “contradiction” of having symbols to celebrate LGBT+ pride whilst still allowing Israel Folau to play

- NICK POWELL

Thomas came out as gay in 2009 whilst playing for Cardiff Rugby, having achieved 100 caps for Wales between 1995 and 2007.

Folau, who started on the wing for the World XV, was sacked from his Rugby Australia central contract in 2019 for an Instagram post that stated ‘Hell awaits’ gay people.

He has regained prominence since he returned to Test rugby with Tonga, and though there were gestures made at Twickenham in favour of LGBT rights, Thomas declined to engage with the match Folau was selected in.

“I refused even to turn the television on,” Thomas said. “If you’re going to have a pride flag waving and have some inclusive teams there, but you’re still playing him, there’s a contradiction there: on one hand you want to celebrate diversity and inclusion in sport and on the other hand you’re picking him.

“I can guarantee one thing: Israel Folau is never going to change his opinion, because then he’d have to change his beliefs. I do respect his beliefs, and I wouldn’t discriminate against his beliefs, but he needs then to respect the beliefs and lifestyles of other people.

“I don’t voice my beliefs around Israel Folau’s beliefs, whereas Israel Folau voices his beliefs about me. If I voiced my beliefs then I wouldn’t want to take to a rugby field and be booed, I’d either change them or conclude my beliefs were more important than a game of rugby.”

Since retiring Thomas has gone on to be a major advocate of gay rights, supporting Childline and NSPCC campaigns to give support to young people coming to terms with their sexuality and later fronting a BBC documentary about homophobia in football.