There's been an outpouring of support in British rugby circles for the former Wales and Lions captain Gareth Thomas following his shock announcement at the weekend that he is gay.
The former England and Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward believes rugby will react positively to the situation of a player he put right at the top of the tree when he took over as captain on the Lions New Zealand tour in 2005, after Brian O'Driscoll was injured in the opening minute of the first test.
Wales former assistant coach Scott Johnson says he was proud to know Thomas who confided in him and some fellow players about his sexuality in 2006, and his teammates swarmed around him and protected him.
