Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage, Sherman Theatre Cardiff, review: 'a catalyst for debate'

In December 2009 the former Welsh rugby captain, Gareth “Alfie” Thomas became the first professional rugby union player publicly to acknowledge that he is gay.

Rumour, innuendo and hostile chanting had pursued him for years and he had been allegedly stalked by journalists threatening to expose him; but the hostility towards homosexuality that is a tenacious aspect of sports culture meant that he reached the verge of suicide before deciding to come out.

Thomas was born in Bridgend and began his first-class rugby career at the town’s club.

While he was coming to terms with the idea of ma…