Alan Quinlan has condemned the homophobic comments made by Australian rugby player Israel Folau, and called into question his behaviour considering his significant public profile.

"Who the hell is Israel Folau to tell people that they're going to hell, just because he believes it because he's read it in a book somewhere," Quinlan posited on Friday's OTB AM. 

"It's absolute bullshit.

"Telling people they're going to hell for all these sins. It's not his job to start preaching all that rubbish.

"Freedom of speech and all that is fine, but if you're employed by someone and you're representing not only his own people in Australia, but essentially representing everyone who plays the code of rugby union ... [I just think] 99.9% of people in rugby would call this discrimination.

Reflecting on the nature of Folau's troubling beliefs, Quinlan noted: "If you believe that fine, but shut your bloody mouth and don't use a massive social media platform [you have] because he's an international sportsperson."

Not the first time Folau has caused a stir with such comments, Quinlan reflected on a time prior to these developments where he sat down to interview the Australian international.

"I met the guy last summer in Australia and he seemed like a very nice guy," Quinlan admitted, "very open, really polite and good with all the kids there after the game, standing in for photos."

"It's very frustrating. He was really nice to me ... but I think he's wrong and he's being a bigot with this stuff."

Crucially, Quinlan was at pains to assure those potentially hurt by Folau's comments.

"I just want to say, whether my voice has any meaning to anybody out there struggling with their sexuality, don't believe the bullshit that Israel Folau has put on a social media post."

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.