Mickey Rourke to play homosexual rugby player in new film

Mickey Rourke has landed a new film role based on the true story of a homosexual rugby player, the actor confirmed.

Rourke met 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 the website 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.

The Wrestler star admitted he is already in training to master Thomas's Welsh accent.

Thomas hit the headlines last year when he became the first rugby union player to 'come out' as a homosexual.