Tony Faulkner: Grand Slam-winning Wales and Pontypool prop dies aged 81
- Published
Watch BBC Sport archive action as the late Tony 'Charlie' Faulkner scores for Wales against Ireland in the Five Nations in 1975.
Tony Faulkner, a Wales Grand Slam winner in their 1970s golden era and a member of the famed Pontypool front row, has died aged 81.
Widely known as 'Charlie' Faulkner, he won 19 Wales caps, each of them alongside Pooler front-row team-mates Graham Price and Bobby Windsor.
Faulkner's Wales debut came as they beat France 25-10 in Paris in 1975.
The Pontypool trio also played together for the 1977 British and Irish Lions against Hawkes Bay.
The Newport-born forward's debut came at the age of 34 on the day his fellow prop Price scored a memorable debut try in the Five Nations against France.
Away from rugby, Faulkner was a judo black belt and after his playing days he coached at Newport, Cardiff and Caerphilly.
Tony Faulkner: Wales captain Ken Owens pays tribute to late prop
Pontypool led the tributes to Faulkner, saying: "It [is] with huge sadness that Pontypool RFC has learned of the passing of one of its true greats."
Many more tributes were also posted about the popular Welsh rugby figure, including from former Wales, Cardiff and Pontypool fly-half and centre Mark Ring, who had coached with Faulkner.
Ring said he was "absolutely gutted" at Faulkner's passing, sentiments echoed by ex-Wales prop Hugh Williams-Jones, who wrote: "Really sad news to hear that Tony 'Charlie' Faulkner has passed away. Condolences to all Charlie's family.
"A true rugby legend as a player and coach, tough as teak….. a privilege to have been coached by him."
Rugby broadcaster Phil Steele added: "Sad to hear of the death of @PontypoolRFC, Wales and Lions prop Tony "Charlie" Faulkner. Played under him when he coached @NewportRFC - a genuine legend of the game and a scientist of the scrum. RIP."
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Faulkner (third from left) was one of six Wales debutants against France in 1975. L-R the others were Ray Gravell, Graham Price, Geoff Evans, Steve Fenwick and John Bevan
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