Tributes have been paid this week to the former Wales and British & Irish Lion front row Charlie Faulkner who passed away at the age of 81.
Part of the famous ‘Pontypool Front Row’ alongside Bobby Windsor and Graham Price, Charlie Faulkner made his international debut for Wales at the age of 34 when he was part of the Wales team that took on France at the Parc de Princes in January 1975.
Playing against Ireland that year in Cardiff he scored his one try for Wales and continued to play throughout the 1976 and 1978 campaigns for his country, part of both Grand Slam victories.
He missed the 1977 Five Nations due to injury but was selected in 1977 as part of the British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand and started three fixtures, including the final game of the tour against Fiji.
Our sincerest condolences go to the family and loved ones of Tony “Charlie” Faulknerhttps://t.co/9hIa6X5FH4
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 10, 2023
Faulkner managed 19 international appearances, scoring a single try, before hanging up his boots in February 1979, ten days before his 38th birthday.
𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗬 𝗚𝗘𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗘 ‘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗘’ 𝗙𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗥
It with huge sadness that Pontypool RFC has learned of the passing of one of its true greats, Anthony George ‘Charlie’ Faulkner, aged 81.
Charlie joined Pontypool from Cross Keys in September 1972 and went on to… pic.twitter.com/Byh9SBziMi— Pontypool RFC (@PontypoolRFC) February 9, 2023
“Legend is often an overused word in sport, but not in Charlie’s case. He was a true legend of our game,” said Pontypool chairman Pete Jeffreys to WalesOnline.
“He was a genuine legend at our club and in Welsh rugby too, but also an absolute gentleman.”
All those at the British & Irish Lions offer their condolences to Charlie’s family and friends.
Main Image Credit: South Wales Argus
