Stars help celebrate Alfie's 100 Wales caps

Mar 13 2008 by Rin Simpson, Western Mail

A GLITTERING array of sporting and screen stars gathered in Cardiff last night to celebrate former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas’s 100th cap.

Alfie, as he is universally known, has not played for Grand Slam-chasing Wales since the ill-fated clash with Fiji in Nantes, which saw him become the first Welsh player to make a century of appearances for his country as the team crashed out of the tournament.

But while a predicted appearance by Prince William did not transpire, stars including Colin Jackson, Rob Brydon, Stuart Cable and a host of the current Welsh squad, including Shane Williams and Stephen Jones, turned out last night to help the former Lions skipper mark his achievement in happier circumstances.

Admitting that he was both excited and nervous about the evening, Alfie said, “Obviously this is a situation I’ve never been in before, but I’ve had a lot of support from a lot of friends, and it’s a night I want to enjoy. I’ve got a lot of close friends here from rugby but what I feel especially pleased about is the people from outside rugby who have come.”

Commenting on gaining his 100th cap, he added, “It was a bit of an anticlimax to be honest. Obviously the result overshadowed the fact of my achievement, so I didn’t feel a need of a celebration. So it’s amazing I’ve got this opportunity to celebrate with a lot of friends and a lot of celebrities too, which means I’ve touched a lot of people outside rugby.”

Guests at the glamorous black tie event, held at Sophia Gardens, were treated to performances by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra tribute acts.

A silent auction was also held to raise money for rugby charity Wooden Spoon, with lots including a signed rugby shirt and magnum of champagne.

Alfie, still regarded by many as a controversial figure in Welsh rugby for his alleged role in the departure of 2005 Grand Slam- winning coach Mike Ruddock, invited his team-mates from the squad, which he captained until he broke his thumb against France.

And there were also representatives from the current squad, hoping to emulate the team of three years ago by beating France on Saturday to clinch a second clean sweep in four years.

Among those taking time out from preparing for the crunch match was scrum-half Mike Phillips, who said, “To have one cap is a huge honour and an outstanding achievement, to represent your country once. But to do it 100 times and to play well 100 times, well, it’s been an honour to stand alongside him, he’s a huge credit to his country. I think he’s mentioned himself that he’s worked really, really hard.

“Obviously he’s got natural talent but he works hard, he’s driven on by success and he’s had success, been captain of Wales – you can’t do more than that.”

It wasn’t just rugby players who graced the VIP drinks reception before dinner. Actor and comedian Rob Brydon paid tribute to Alfie, saying, “He is a hero, a Welsh hero and he’s somebody we should all be proud of, so a night like this is the perfect way to do that, to celebrate it.”

Olympic medal winning athlete Colin Jackson said, “This evening is a real tribute to what he’s achieved and a real reflection on him as a person. People have a lot of regard for him and this is about that. Rugby is Wales’ international sport so for anybody to actually get in a team 100 times says a lot really. Because there are a lot of people competing for those spaces in rugby and you’ve got to be selected.”

Drummer Stuart Cable, formerly of The Stereophonics, said, “100 caps in anything is pretty cool, isn’t it? Especially in the world of rugby.

“To get 100 caps for your country when you only have a handful of internationals every year is absolutely magnificent.

“Alfie is one of the greatest rugby players we’ve ever produced and a great ambassador for his country.”