Rugby Kiss Goes Viral And Fans Are Loving The Bromance
The locker room kiss that was heard around the world!
A post-match kiss between Toulouse rugby stars Jack Willis and Blair Kinghorn has become an internet moment, and no one’s complaining.
After Toulouse’s nail-biting 39–33 win over Bordeaux Bègles at the Stade de France on Saturday, cameras caught the shirtless duo sharing a cheeky kiss in the locker room. Both players looked blissful from the win, with Kinghorn wearing red Budgy Smuggler briefs bearing the club crest. The image? Posted directly by the league’s official accounts. The reaction? Loud and very online.
Who kissed who, and why is it everywhere?
The kiss wasn’t a surprise to their teammates. The English forward and Scottish back have been close mates all season. But it was the tone of the moment, casual, sweaty, a little flirty, that made it an instant hit. The photo even made it onto the feed of For The Love of Rugby, a podcast with a loyal following, showing that the boys were happy to own the moment.
French fans weren’t far behind. The Budgy Smugglers France account commented, “We know @jackswillis, it’s tough to resist,” complete with a crying-laugh emoji. And if you’re wondering what track soundtracked this scene: Je t’aime… moi non plus, the 1969 breathy duet by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. Subtle? Not really.
Someone important noticed and approved.
Jeremy Clamy-Edroux, a former pro who came out publicly in 2021, dropped a red heart in the comments. He’s currently a EuroGames ambassador, the LGBTQIA+-inclusive multisport event in Lyon coming this August, and has consistently pushed for visibility in men’s sport.
Clamy-Edroux spent two more seasons playing professionally after coming out and now co-hosts a podcast with his partner, artist Clement Legrand. They recently did a couple’s shoot in rugby kit, showing there’s space for both rough and romantic in the same frame.
Are they a couple? No. Is it still a win? Yes.
Willis is with his long-time partner, Megan Ely, and they share a son, Enzo. Kinghorn is engaged to nutritionist Dina Celina. So, no, this wasn’t a coming-out moment – it was two mates celebrating a massive win in the most casually homoerotic way rugby allows.
But context matters. While some fans might worry about queerbaiting, others see the kiss as a relaxed, natural sign that today’s rugby culture isn’t as rigid as it used to be. At DNA, we’ve seen time and again how simple gestures like this permit people to feel more at ease in spaces they once tiptoed through.
So, how gay-friendly is rugby really?
The sport is slowly evolving, but visible representation is still rare. Jack Dunne, who plays for Exeter Chiefs, is currently the only publicly bisexual player in England’s top-tier Premiership. Gareth Thomas (Wales), Nick McCarthy (Ireland), Campbell Johnstone (New Zealand), Dan Palmer (Australia), and Sam Stanley (England Sevens) have all come out, but only after retiring or once their international careers were behind them.
That’s what makes moments like this locker room kiss feel bigger than they are. It’s not a political statement, but it normalises affection, freedom, and camaraderie in a sport still known for its macho image.
What’s next for the kissing duo?
Kinghorn flew straight to Brisbane to join the British and Irish Lions touring squad as they prepare for their three-test series against Australia. Willis, who was a standout in the Top 14 final with two tries, is being rumoured as a last-minute Lions call-up.
Will they kiss again in Queensland? Probably not in front of cameras. But for now, they’ve already given fans plenty to cheer about and not just for their try-scoring form.
