Gareth Thomas: “When I Played England I Had a Hatred For The English Jersey.”

England take on Wales on Saturday evening in the Rugby World Cup, and former Wales Gareth Thomas captain has given a detailed account of the hatred that he felt for England as a player.

It seems that any time Gareth Thomas played England, his deep hatred of the red rose motivated him to play well:

When I played England I had a hatred for the English jersey. I used to love playing for Wales and to have a hatred for the English jersey showed how much I loved Wales, my country. It was, and is, a fierce rivalry and as a competitor you had to hate them.

It’s not just the historical stuff between England and Wales. It’s that this is the game when everyone in Wales comes together. It drove me on as a captain and as a player. I used to try not to use what might be seen as historical injustices to motivate myself and my team. I wanted us to have our own motivation and, speaking for myself, I got it by thinking of what it meant to the country.

If Wales beat England but lose to Australia next week, the nation will be happier than if Wales lose to England and then beat Australia.

You get the feeling that Gareth Thomas really wishes he was pulling on the red jersey on Sunday.

All we know is Saturdays game is gonna be an absolute belter!