Will Sydney host the next gay and inclusive Bingham World Cup rugby tournament? We hope so – and there’s high-level support for the idea.

Following their epic win in Manchester at this year’s international rugby tournament, our own gay and inclusive team the Sydney Convicts are the toast of the town.

Convicts’ founder Andrew Purchas was invited to attend prestigious event by John Eales, the most successful caption in the history of Australian rugby and arguably the most famous rugby player in the world.

A pre-Bledisloe Cup event, the Bennelong Lunch saw Eales and Purchas do a Q&A session about homophobia and changing attitudes in society.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and current Wallabies captain James Horwill were also there, as the photo above shows.

Eales says he believes Sydney would be a great host city for the Bingham Cup next year, and speaks in glowing terms of our Convicts with their message of inclusivity and respect in the sporting arena.

“It’s fantastic that the Convicts did so well in Manchester,” he says. “To win both the Bingham Cup and Bingham Bowl in the UK is a great achievement.

“I first heard about the Convicts in 2005 and have been very impressed how they have gone from strength to strength. They have provided a place for people who thought they did not have a place in the game. I am also very pleased with the enormous support the Convicts have received from the rugby community in general. It speaks volumes for rugby generally and the Convicts.”

Purchas welcomes and values Eales’ support. “To have the most respected Wallaby of all time actively supporting you is extremely powerful,” he says. “It sends a very important message both locally and internationally that Australia and rugby have very strong traditions and expectations about inclusion and mutual respect.

7 News ran an item on the Convicts at the weekend. Here’s the clip:

Same Same was there to welcome the Sydney Convicts on their triumphant return to Australia with the Bingham Cup. See our photos below.