Mickey Rourke to play gay rugby player in new movie

WASHINGTON - Mickey Rourke has landed a new movie role based on the true story of a gay rugby player, the actor confirms.

Rourke met up with Welsh sports ace Gareth Thomas over the summer, prompting rumours the pair was set to bring the athlete’s tale to the big screen - and the gossip is true, reports Contactmusic.

“I read the story, it’s one of the toughest, hardest sports… and to be a man that plays rugby that is gay, to live with that secret for the amount of years Gareth had, to perform at the high level he performed at, it takes a lot of courage,” Rourke said.

And the ‘Wrestler’ star admits he’s already in training to master Thomas’ Welsh accent.

Thomas hit headlines last year when he became the first rugby union player to ‘come out’ as a gay man. (ANI)