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Last Updated: Thursday, 9 October, 2003, 06:10 GMT 07:10 UK

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Budgett voted sexiest rugby star

Budgett's rugged looks helped him top the poll

Nathan Budgett, the 17-stone Celtic Warriors forward, has been voted the sexiest rugby player in Wales.

The 6ft 5in 28-year-old player scooped the number one spot in research into women's views about Wales' national game.

Ospreys skipper Scott Gibbs, 32, came a close second with 15% of the votes, securing specific praise for his shapely legs.

Welsh squad captain Colin Charvis managed 3rd place, with 12% of the votes.

The survey was commissioned by Swansea PR agency MGB Public Relations, the company responsible for marketing the Ospreys.

Sexiest Welsh rugby players
1. Nathan Budgett (26%) Celtic Warriors flanker, 6ft 5in, 17st
2. Scott Gibbs (15%) Ospreys captain, 5ft 10in, 13st 11lb
3. Colin Charvis (12%) Welsh captain, 6ft 2in, 16st 10lb
4. Percy Montgomery (11%) Gwent Dragons full back, 6ft 1in, 13st 10lb
5. Rhys Williams (10%) Cardiff Blues full back, 5ft 11in, 13st 7lb
6. Jamie Robinson (8%) Cardiff Blues outside centre, 6ft 2in, 14st
7. Barry Williams (6%) Ospreys hooker, 6ft, 16st
8. Scott Quinnell (5%) Scarlets lock, 6ft 4in, 18st, 8lb
9. Gareth Wyatt (4%) Celtic Warriors wing, 5ft 9in, 12st 9lb
10. Robin McBryde (3%) Scarlets hooker, 5ft 11in, 15st 8lb

Researchers interviewed 800 women in Swansea, Cardiff, and Pontypridd for the survey.

They found that, for many women, the excitement of following tactics and game play paled into insignificance against the prospect of watching rippling leg muscles and taught buttocks on the pitch.

The survey revealed:

64% of women questioned admitted the only reason they watched rugby was to look at players' legs

65% thought watching a rugby match would be less enjoyable if the players wore long trousers

60% were convinced rugby players had sexier legs than soccer players

82% insisted Welsh rugby players had sexier legs that their English counterparts

52% of women questioned admitted to knowing very little about the game itself, and not even knowing how many points you get for scoring a try, despite regularly tuning in or attending rugby matches.

Scott Gibbs' legs were singled out for special admiration
The survey has been released as Wales gears up for the start of the World Cup in Australia on Sunday, and as rugby clubs fight to boost numbers through the turnstiles.

Researchers have suggested that clubs might do worse than sign a sexy player if they want to attract more female spectators.

"It's no surprise really that, for the majority of women in Wales, it's the players that are the real pull in rugby," said MGB's Alex Sheehan.

"Football has, for many years, traded on the celebrity and sex appeal of its players, and football clubs generate millions from a young female fan base who have little interest in the game itself but are prepared to dig deep in support of the football poster boys.

"There's obviously a real opportunity here for rugby clubs in Wales to extend their fan base by offering a more bespoke and targeted rugby experience for women.

"If they are more interested in the players than they are the game then surely clubs should encourage them in their support and develop marketing programmes which are tailored to these distinct needs.

"Perhaps shorter shorts and tighter shirts are the way forward."

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