WALES rugby union Grand Slam winner and Pontypool legend Tony “Charlie” Faulkner has died aged 81.
Faulkner was a prop forward for Pontypool in their heyday in the 1970s and went on to win 19 caps for Wales.
His Wales debut came as they beat France 25-10 in Paris in 1975.
The Newport-born forward’s debut came at the age of 34.
Each of Faulkner’s international appearances came alongside Pooler front-row team-mates Graham Price and Bobby Windsor.
After retiring, Faulkner went on to coach Newport.
Pontypool led the tributes to Faulkner, tweeting: “It [is] with huge sadness that Pontypool RFC has learned of the passing of one of its true greats.”
Former Wales, Cardiff and Pontypool fly-half and centre Mark Ring, who had coached with Faulkner, said he was “absolutely gutted” to hear of the rugby legend’s passing.
Faulkner has also been described as “a genuine legend of the game and a scientist of the scrum”.
Away from rugby, Faulkner was a judo black belt.
