Man who changed his spots

THE Australian rugby union player George Gregan leaps into action after three body-painters spent six hours transforming the scrum half into a cheetah.

Five other players featured in the advertising campaign to promote the sport, including full-back Mathew Bourke, who became a bird of prey, John Eales a second row forward, was transformed into a spider, complete with web, while Richard Harry, Phil Kearns and Andrew Blades were wild buffaloes.

Photograph: Reuters