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Gareth Thomas (born 25 July 1974 in Sarn nr. Bridgend) is a Welsh rugby union player who currently plays at fullback, wing or centre for Cardiff Blues and mainly as a fullback for Wales. On 26 May 2007, he surpassed Gareth Llewellyn as the most-capped Wales player with his 93rd appearance. He also holds the record for most tries for Wales, with 40.

Despite his undoubted skill on the field, Thomas has a reputation for being unpredictable, disruptive and aggressive; in 2005 Thomas was found guilty of assault whilst playing rugby in France^[1] and in 2007 was banned for four weeks for misconduct charges.^[2] Thomas was also implicated in the circumstances surrounding the departure of Six Nations-winning Wales coach Mike Ruddock and was involved in an explosive televised interview with BBC Scrum V pundit Eddie Butler about the issue.^[3] Thomas has been championed as one of the few players who successfully negotiated Rugby's transition from an amateur to a professional sport, and is therefore well respected by the Welsh rugby public.^{[citation needed]}

He is known as 'Alfie' due to a supposed resemblance to a character in a sitcom called ALF.^[4] His way of celebrating tries by slapping his head is called 'the Ayatollah', used as a reminder that Thomas is a keen Cardiff City supporter (the Ayatollah is a popular celebration amongst Cardiff fans).^[5]

Thomas created history when becoming the first Welshman to win 100 caps in Rugby Union, he scored a try and prevented another but Wales still lost to Fiji. He therefore became the first player to lose on his 100th international appearance.

Thomas started his career at Bridgend RFC. He then moved to Pontypridd, but never actually played a game for them before re-signing for Bridgend. He then spent a spell at Cardiff RFC starting in 1997 before rejoining hometown club Bridgend again in 2001 and captaining them to a Welsh Premier Division title in 2003, in a campaign where they were unbeaten at home and only lost to runners-up Neath and Cardiff away.^[6] He then joined the Celtic Warriors once the Welsh Rugby Union implemented its regional rugby plans for the 2003/04 season. After one season as captain of the Warriors, the region were disbanded by the then-WRU chief David Moffett and owner Leighton Samuel, although Thomas had already agreed a deal to join French club Toulouse where he was seen as the ideal replacement for soon-to-retire captain Emile N'Tamack. He helped the club to a Heineken Cup victory in 2005 after a victory over Stade Français at Murrayfield. On 20 January 2007, Cardiff Blues completed a deal to bring Thomas back to Wales for the 2007-08 season. This move wasn't without controversy as his former employers Toulouse claimed that he had registered to play with them during that season.^{[citation needed]}

Gareth Thomas made his debut for Wales on 27 May 1995 against Japan.^[4] He scored a Welsh record-equalling four tries in the match against Italy in Treviso in 1999; one of only seven players to achieve that feat for his country. As noted earlier, he now holds the records for the most international tries and appearances for his country, currently with 40 tries in 100 tests. He surpassed the try record previously held by Ieuan Evans in 2004 against Italy. He also got a hat-trick of tries in the 2nd Test against Japan in 2001; 51 appearances after announcing his arrival on the international scene with a hat-trick in the 1995 World Cup game against the same opposition. Equally at home at Centre, it was from that position he scored the longest intercept try ever seen at the Arms Park, a 90 metre dash against Australia in 1996.

Thomas was selected for The British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand in 2005. Following injury to Brian O'Driscoll in the opening minutes of the first test against New Zealand, he was made captain for the second and third tests of the series, becoming the ninth Welsh skipper in Lions history.

Thomas was named as captain for Wales' final match in the 2007 Six Nations against England after current captain Stephen Jones was ruled out with a broken wrist. When Thomas took the field, he equalled Llewellyn's Wales record of 92 caps.^[7] He broke Llewellyn's record when he led Wales out against Australia at Telstra Stadium in Sydney on 26 May 2007, a match that Wales lost 29-23 on a Wallabies try after the siren.^[8]

His 100th, and so far last test match was in his teams defeat by Fiji in the 2007 World Cup. Despite winning 100 caps, it is reckoned that in his latter years, Thomas's performances for Wales dipped. This can be attibuted to his lack of pace towards the twilight of his career, and it is widely viewed that Thomas should not have reached his probable final tally of 100 caps.

Thomas suffered a major health scare after the resignation of Welsh coach Mike Ruddock in February 2006 was blamed on player power from senior players. He had received a blow to his neck during a match then later on whilst watching a televised recording of an interview he had given regarding his part in the Mike Ruddock affair, he fell ill and was rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke, which was brought on by a ruptured artery in his neck. It was feared this could lead to retirement but he somewhat miraculously resumed playing at the start of the 2006-07 French rugby season.

Awards
Preceded by Tanni Grey-Thompson	BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2005	Succeeded by Joe Calzaghe