Matthew Rhys From "Brothers & Sisters" on Out Welsh Rugger Gareth Thomas

Matthew Rhys

Last week, I had the chance to do a set visit for ABC's Brothers & Sisters where I did an interview with Matthew Rhys (Kevin Walker) and Luke Macfarlane (Scotty Wandell). I'll have the entire interview next month, but during our chat Matthew said some great things about Gareth Thomas, the Welsh rugby star who just came out. For those who don't know, Matthew is Welsh himself and I thought our readers would be interested in hearing his thoughts on the matter.

How did the country react to the news?

I was very proud of my nation. I was at the rugby game immediately after he came out and he was our Welsh captian and he didn't start. It was a huge club match the day after Christmas, a big game. We were all there and he came out and got a huge round of applause. I was really quite moved by it. I got such a chill when it happpened. It was all these tough ... it is still a workingman's game in Wales. Not the game that it is in England or Scotland. So for all these guys to give him a huge round of applause when he can out ... because he ran out on his own.

Why such a positive reaction?

I just think it was an appreciation, an acknowledgment that he did a very brave thing in a very difficult environment. And for all the bullshit of what being a man is, what he did is a very manly thing. He really is a hero in Wales.

Gareth Thomas