Warren Gatland, Alun Wyn Jones and Gareth Thomas named in Queen's Birthday Honours
Warren Gatland, Alun Wyn Jones and Gareth Thomas have been named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for this year.
The three rugby greats have been named in the list which was meant to be published in June earlier this year, but was postponed in order to consider nominations for people playing crucial roles during the first months of the COVID-19 effort.
Gatland has been awarded a CBE for services to the sport, while Wales captain Wyn Jones receives an OBE.
Former Lions captain Thomas, meanwhile, has been awarded a CBE for services to sport and health.
Scientists, health workers and sports coaches are among those also being honoured by Her Majesty in the list.
Warren Gatland is being honoured for his services to rugby in Wales after spending 12 years as Wales Head Coach and was the team's longest-serving coach.
Gatland first took charge of Wales for the 2008 Six Nations, with the Dragons winning that title and three more since.
A 29-12 win over France capped a Grand Slam and a resoundingly successful start for Gatland - the first of his three slams as they repeated the feat in 2012 and 2019.
Gatland said he is "incredibly honoured" to be given a CBE.
He added: 'This award is recognition of everyone involved in Welsh Rugby and all that we achieved together during my time as head coach,"
"Rugby is a huge part of my life and has given me so much joy as a player, a father to a rugby-playing son and also as a coach."
"It has also given me so many incredible friendships and experiences too. I feel very fortunate to be able to do something I love every day, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my career."
Gatland, already appointed an OBE in 2014, is set to take charge of next summer's British and Irish Lions planned tour to South Africa.
Alun Wyn Jones is being honoured for his services to rugby union and is Wales' most-capped international.
The Wales captain and British and Irish Lion currently has 138 caps for Wales. Wyn Jones made his Wales debut as a flanker against Argentina in 2006 and his Six Nations debut against Ireland in 2007.
The 35-year-old Ospreys lock is preparing for a 139th Wales appearance, which had originally looked set for March, and he has also won nine caps for the Lions.
"It is a huge honour to receive such an accolade," Jones said.
"I was initially reluctant to receive such an award in these trying times when there are so many people doing so much good for the community and are more worthy, but I see this as an acknowledgement to all the people who have helped me throughout my career.
"It is recognition for everyone that has supported me from grassroots and intermediate to professional and international rugby.
"It is for my family, those who aren't here anymore and those who are still here and fully behind me and for all their support in what I have done and what I want to continue to do."
Gareth Thomas - also known to many as 'Alfie' is being honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to sport and health.
The former Wales rugby captain revealed in 2019 that he is HIV positive and received an outpouring of support from team-mates and fans, celebrities and even royalty.
Thomas decided to reveal his HIV status after he says he was being "put through hell" by blackmailers.