Rugby player makes it as a pompom boy

BURLY rugby player Gareth Reynolds will be swapping his muddy boots for a pair of pompoms this summer to join an eight-strong cheerleading troupe on a tour of Australia.

The 27-year-old software salesman will be the only male in the British Lionesses when he sets off on 26 June with seven female cheerleaders to support the British and Irish Lions on their three- week rugby tour.

But he does not seem concerned about what he might be asked to wear. "They haven't told me yet, although we did get measured up by a designer on Sunday," said Gareth. "I think it's going to be a dressy number.

I'd almost rather wear a dress because if I was in shorts and looked like a professional cheerleader I'd probably get more stick."

Gareth, who plays for amateur side London Scottish, beat 400 hopefuls in a Web competition to win the place.

He said: "We had to answer in 25 words why we should be given a place with the troupe.

I told them about my Scottish roots and my penchant for kilts and managed to get through to the second round."

A session with a choreographer at Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden followed, at which Gareth managed to impress the judges with his twinkletoes.

"Me and this other guy were the only men at the auditions," he said. "I wouldn't say I'm the best dancer. I think to have a big rugby player dancing around like an idiot is going to make the crowds happy."

If he does have to don a dress it won't be the first time. "Me and four mates dressed up as the Spice Girls for a party a couple of years ago. I was Baby Spice and had to wear a blonde wig with pigtails," he said.

Gareth will be cheered on by 30 friends and both parents, who are travelling from their home in Hong Kong. "My dad doesn't know whether to be proud or ashamed," he said.

"My mates on the team give me a lot of banter. But when they heard about the free trip to Australia and the fact I'm going with seven gorgeous girls they soon changed their minds."

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