GLADIATOR hunk RUSSELL CROWE has wooed back actress MEG RYAN - by writing her gushing love poems.

The PROOF OF LIFE actor split with the blonde star at Christmas (DEC00) after a six-month romance. The movie hardman has since earned the tag "the new RICHARD BURTON" because of his playboy antics in Tinseltown. He has been seen with a bevy of other beauties since breaking up with Meg - who split from her husband DENNIS QUAID to be with him.

Now New Zealander Russell is said to have battled his way back into Meg's affections by showering her with flowers and writing her poems. He regularly pens lyrics as singer and rock guitarist with his own band THIRTY ODD FOOT OF GRUNTS. According to Britain's DAILY STAR newspaper, Meg's heart has melted and she has allowed him to move back into her $10 million (£6 million) Los Angeles home. Meanwhile he has been helping her redecorate the sprawling mansion.

Meg told a pal, "Russell is the ideal man - he sends me flowers writes me love poems and we spend hours on the phone talking. He's quickly become my knight in shining armour and I'm falling in love with him all over again. I'm so happy I just hope it lasts." (JXH/WNTST/MCM)

Source: WENN