Welsh teams to wear rainbow laces at weekend

WALES’ national teams will show their support to former captain Gareth Thomas by wearing rainbow laces this weekend.

Thomas, who won 100 caps for his country, was the victim of a homophobic assault in Cardiff on Saturday.

Wales’ men’s team will wear the laces against South Africa, while the women’s team will wear them in their match against Canada.

The Rainbow Laces campaign began in 2013, when gay rights group Stonewall invited footballers in England and Scotland to wear them, and in 2017 Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones made a public show of support by wearing the laces for his team’s clash with New Zealand.

“We are delighted to confirm that Welsh rugby is once again proudly endorsing Stonewall Cymru’s Rainbow Laces initiative throughout its two-week 2018 awareness campaign, whilst continuing to permanently support its values on a year round basis ,” said a WRU spokesperson.

“Each of the four regional teams in Welsh rugby are backing the campaign and laces have been purchased and distributed around the community game in Wales leading up to ‘Wear Your Rainbow Laces Day’ on Wednesday, November 28, with all WRU staff on the ground encouraged to take an active role in support.

“Our referees department will also be specifically supporting the campaign with all Premiership referees due to be wearing the laces in all Premiership fixtures over the weekend December 1.”