Gareth Thomas was scrapped as pundit by the ITV, he's fighting back

Tuesday, 26 August 2025 at 08:56

byRugby Rucker

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar took on a prominent role in ITV’s coverage of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, stepping into the shoes of rugby legend Gareth Thomas.

Biggar, who retired from international rugby following last year’s World Cup, is expected to become a regular face on the broadcaster’s punditry team for future tournaments.

The shake-up comes after confirmed he has stepped down from his punditry role after nearly a decade with ITV. Speaking to

The Times, the former England head coach said he "wanted to go out on a high" after the World Cup.

Thomas, who was part of ITV’s World Cup coverage in France, will also not feature in their Six Nations line-up and is unlikely to return in the near future.

His involvement in the World Cup had previously been questioned by ex-England fly-half Andy Goode, who wrote on X/Twitter during the tournament: "It’s actually immoral that Gareth Thomas is on our TV screens, imagine a straight man doing what he did, they wouldn’t get another TV gig ever."

The tweet, which received more than 1,000 likes, sparked a mixed response. One fan replied: "Now now pal. Not the time or place for this." Another said: "Someone's had a couple of beers." A third wrote: "You're entitled to your opinion. This isn't the place to voice it." While a fourth added: "Stick to the rugby Andy that's a discussion for another day."

Despite stepping back from punditry, Thomas has remained a prominent public figure, particularly in his ongoing fight against HIV stigma.

Back in 2019, the former Wales captain revealed that he was HIV-positive after a tabloid threatened to out his status.

"Now that you have that information, it makes me extremely vulnerable, but it does not make me weak," he said in a video uploaded to X/Twitter. "I choose to fight to educate and break the stigma around this subject."

Since then, Thomas has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and break misconceptions, but he continues to face abuse from bigots. Speaking on The Life of Bryony podcast, he recalled a harrowing incident where two men spat on him in the street and called him an “AIDS spreader.”

"I won’t sit here and be big guy and say it doesn’t hurt. So [there were] two young lads who walked past spat at me and called me an AIDS spreader," he said.

Rather than retaliating, Thomas responded with kindness. "I just stopped, and I opened up my arms. So they walked past me. One spat at my chest, one spat at my feet. They walked past me, they waited for a reaction, and I just opened up my arms, and it kind of put them off because that was completely different."

He added: "And then they started calling me names. I was like, ‘Do you want a hug?’ And they were like, ‘We’re not going to have a hug off you. You got effing AIDS.’ And I’m like, ‘Do you want to hug, boys? Do you want to hug?'”

Thomas admitted the abuse hurt, but he felt that refusing to react negatively was a victory. "They wanted confirmation that I was a bad person. And I refused to give the confirmation that I was a bad person."

The 51-year-old also revealed the stigma has affected his loved ones. "[My husband] Steve is HIV negative, but he’s a teacher in college, right? He’s a brilliant teacher. It’s difficult for him at times because he’s afraid of the stigma that might come from the students within the college," he explained.

His parents, too, have faced prejudice. “People once knew them as the parents of ‘Gareth, the Welsh rugby player.’ However, now they are known as ‘the mother and father of the guy who’s got HIV.’”

Reflecting on his journey, Thomas said: “The reality is, the day after is when the shit begins, right? It’s when it starts because you’ve opened yourself up, you’ve made yourself vulnerable.”

Despite the challenges, the Welsh legend continues to inspire as a role model for the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.

Red Roses pride: Nine World Cup stars who are out and proud

England’s Red Roses aren’t just rugby powerhouses — they’re also trailblazers for LGBTQ+ represenation in sport.

As they charge into this year’s Rugby World Cup on home turf, nine stars are proudly out and representing both their country and community.

Here’s the incredible lineup flying the flag for Pride while chasing World Cup glory:

Marlie “Captain Fantastic” Packer — England

Captain. Flanker. Champion. And a Red Rose through and through. Marlie Packer heads into her third World Cup with England, fresh off a one-match ban that had fans worried she might miss out. No chance. A 2014 World Cup winner already, she’s determined to lead the Roses to another title — and she’ll be doing it alongside her fiancée, teammate Rosie Galligan.

Rosie “Resilient Rose” Galligan — England

Rosie Galligan’s journey is pure resilience. From making her professional debut with Saracens in 2016 to lifting back-to-back WXV 1 titles, Galligan is no stranger to success. This is her second World Cup, but there’s an extra twist this time: she’s engaged to teammate Marlie Packer. Power couple energy incoming.

Mackenzie “Maple Leaf Turned Rose” Carson — England

Born in Canada. Built for rugby. And now a Red Rose. Mackenzie Carson has already played three World Cups for Canada — but in 2025, she’s switched allegiances to England. Better still, she’ll be suiting up alongside her partner Sarah Bern, making them one of rugby’s fiercest power duos.

Sarah “Scrum Queen” Bern — England

England powerhouse Sarah Bern is used to breaking through defences — now she’s breaking barriers too.

With Carson, her partner both on and off the field, Bern is set for another World Cup campaign. Expect big hits, big carries, and big love stories in red and white.

Megan “Sevens Speedster” Jones — England

England’s youngest-ever sevens debutant at just 17, Megan Jones has built a career on speed, skill, and fearless play. After recovering from injury in 2024, she’s back and ready for the World Cup stage. Off the pitch, she’s happily with Great Britain teammate Celia Quansah — another rugby star in her own right.

Holly “Golden Boot” Aitchison — England

A natural playmaker with a golden boot, Holly Aitchison has done it all: Six Nations, World Cup, the Tokyo Olympics. Now she’s back in Red Roses colours for the 2025 World Cup, and she’ll be lining up with her partner — and fellow England star — Hannah Botterman.

Hannah “Front-Row Force” Botterman — England

The front-row force who eats scrums for breakfast. Hannah Botterman already has Grand Slam medals and World Cup experience to her name, but this year brings an extra special twist: she’s heading into the tournament alongside her partner, teammate Holly Aitchison. Roses united, on and off the pitch.

Amy “Cross-Continental” Cokayne — England

From New Zealand to England and back again — Amy Cokayne’s rugby story spans continents. After stints with Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, and now Sale Sharks, she’s earned her spot in another World Cup campaign. With experience at both the 2017 and delayed 2021 editions, Cokayne is set to be a vital presence for England in 2025.

Claudia “Chief in Command” Moloney-MacDonald — England

Dynamic, versatile, unstoppable. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald can shine at scrum-half or wing, and she’s been doing just that for Exeter Chiefs Women. A Six Nations Grand Slam winner in 2019 and a World Cup veteran from 2021, she’s back again to bring pace and passion to the Roses.

QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men's Rugby World Cups?

Think you know your rugby history? Test your knowledge and see if you can name all 26 teams that have played at the Men's Rugby World Cup.

You've got just 5 minutes on the clock – no pressure!

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