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The often-brutal sport of rugby has become an unlikely international sports leader in forcing players to accept gay teammates.
It has not been easy.
Nigel Owens, who will referee the World Cup final tomorrow, considered suicide because of the difficulties he faced after coming out in 2007.
Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas has spoken out against the barbs he faced after announcing his homosexuality.
We all like to have a good laugh when playing ... But when this comes at the expense of gay people, it pushes athletes trying to hide their sexuality, deeper in the closet
Gareth Thomas
But players such as Australian David Pocock, who will be in tomorrow's final, have taken a gay rights stand on the pitch and the World Rugby governing body has backed a campaign by activists.
Neither football nor the US major professional leagues can claim such acts.

Thomas was capped more than 100 times by Wales and captained the British & Irish Lions. He declared his sexuality and separated from his wife Jemma in 2009. Thomas, who had a reputation as a bruiser on the field, said there was still too much anti-gay humour in changing rooms.
"We all like to have a good laugh when playing or watching sport," he said this year.
"But when this comes at the expense of gay people, it pushes athletes trying to hide their sexuality, deeper in the closet.
"I am one of those who hid his sexuality for years because this kind of language created an environment where it seemed impossible to be accepted as a gay man."

But he said not all of it showed homophobic intent.
"After I came out of the closet, many of my greatest supporters were teammates who in the past, had made the most jokes about gay people."
Fellow Welshman Owens came out in 2007 and has remained one of the most respected rugby referees.
Tomorrow, he will be in charge of players in the New Zealand-Australia final who have spoken out against homophobia, such as Wallaby stars David Pocock and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Pocock has said he will not marry his girlfriend until gay marriage is legalised in Australia. He brought the debate into the spotlight this year by telling a referee to stop a Super Rugby game when Jacques Potgieter, a flanker for Australian side the Waratahs, twice shouted "faggot".

Pocock received support on the field for his demand from Brumbies teammate and Australia captain Stephen Moore.
"It was an offhand remark made without thought for the hurt it could cause," said Potgieter, who was fined US$14,000, but half was suspended.
Ashley-Cooper, one of Australia's biggest stars, says he has friends and family who are gay.
"We need to change sporting culture in Australia and around the world and make sure everyone feels included and safe," he told the Australian national gay paper Star Observer last year.
Pocock believes the fault does not lay just with the conservative world of rugby.
"Athletes aren't coming out because of the homophobia in society," Pocock told International Gay Rugby this year.
"It isn't until we challenge that nature and the language that they will be a bit more comfortable in their own skin."


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Rugby World Cup 2015

RWC finalists Australia come out in support of gay rights

Australia's flanker David Pocock says he won't marry his girlfriend until gay marriage is lagal in Australia. Photo: AFP 

Former Welsh international rugby player Gareth Thomas says there is still too much anti-gay humour in changing  rooms.  Photo: AFP 

Referee Nigel Owens is still respected, but had considered suicide because of the difficulties he faced after coming out in 2007. Photo: AFP

Jacques Potgieter with Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer. Potgieter was fined for making homophobic remarks in a Super Rugby game   

Gay referee Nigel Owens ‘humbled and honoured’ to be selected for Rugby World Cup final

Nigel Owens calls the shots in the Ireland v France pool match. Photo: AFP


 France's Mathieu Bastareaud gets a dressing down from Nigel Owens. Photo: AP


France's Louis Picamoles (second from right) gets a yellow card from  Nigel Owens in their quarter-final against New Zealand. Photo: AFP

Rugby World Cup 2015 results & standings

The Webb Ellis Cup will be awarded to the winning team after the final of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham on 31 October (1 November HKT). Photo: AFP

Sport

Rugby

Two Wallabies players who will take the field in Twickenham finale are leading the charge against homophobia in the sport


The often-brutal sport of rugby has become an unlikely international sports leader in forcing players to accept gay teammates. It has not been easy.


RWC finalists Australia come out in support of gay rights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Two Wallabies players who will take the field in Twickenham finale are leading the charge against homophobia in the sport

Two Wallabies players who will take the field in Twickenham finale are leading the charge against homophobia in the sport