Gareth Thomas (rugby)
As of November 14, 2011 National: November 14, 2010
Gareth Thomas (born 25 July 1974 in Sarn ) is a former Welsh rugby union and rugby league player. He played on the positions goalkeeper, Outdoor three-quarter or three-quarter inside. With exactly 100 appearances for the Welsh national team, he was from 2007 to 2011 the most capped player in his country.
Career
Thomas began his career at Bridgend RFC before moving to Cardiff in 1997, circa 2001 return. With Bridgend he succeeded in 2003, the title in the Welsh Premier Division. The team remained unbeaten at home this season and only suffered two away defeats. Following his time at Bridgend, he joined the Celtic Warriors, but were disbanded after only one season as the Welsh Association wanted to rely in the future on region-based teams. Thomas had already signed a contract with the French club Stade Toulousain in advance. He was part of the team that won the Heineken Cup in 2005. For the season 2007/ 08 he returned to Wales and signed a contract with the Cardiff Blues. The club in Toulouse criticized this step because Thomas had assured her to stay another year in France.
Thomas made his national team debut on 27 May 1995 to Japan. In 1999, he scored four tries against Italy, which was previously managed only six other Welsh players. Until the Six Nations 2008, he held the record for most attempts to Shane Williams overtook him. He held long held the record for most international appearances for Wales and was replaced by Stephen Jones in 2011. In 2004, he overtook Ieuan Evans in this category. He was invited to tour the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand in 2005. After the injury to Brian O'Driscoll, he was appointed captain. His last and thus 100th international, he played with Wales against Fiji in the first round of the World Cup 2007.
From 2007 to 2010, Thomas played for the Cardiff Blues and won with these 2009 EDF Energy Cup. In March 2010 he joined the sport of rugby league and played for the Crusaders in the Super League. With the Welsh Rugby League team he came to four inserts in international matches. In July 2011, he broke his left arm and missed the rest of the season. Finally, he announced on October 25, 2011 announced his retirement.
Thomas ' nickname " Alfie " refers to the TV series " ALF ". He married in 2002 but divorced in 2006. In December 2009 he made international headlines when he no longer hid the first rugby player his homosexuality in public.