Anthony Faulkner
Born in Newport, started his senior rugby career with Cross Keys before moving to Pontypool RFC to join his best mate Bobby Windsor. They worked together in the Steelworks in Newport, where Charlie mixed his rugby career with being a black belt in Judo.
He enjoyed the satisfaction of packing down in each of his nineteen games for Wales, alongside his Pontypool teammates. Even though he was capped late in his rugby career, Charlie can claim to be part of folklore or front row play. It was not until Charlie was chosen for Wales did the Welsh pack enjoy the forward domination that led to the successful 70’s.
His attitude in laying the forward platform for the style of rugby that Wales ‘dazzled’ the World with, cannot be underestimated. He was one of the most popular players in the game during the 70’s and his reward by joining Bobby and Graham on the 1977 Lions tour, not only created history, but was thoroughly deserved for the hard graft put in by himself and his mentor ray Prosser.
He will be remembered as one of the great Welsh Loose heads of all time, and how many players can say that they played in four triple Crowns and two Grand Slam winning teams. After finishing his playing career he became a successful coach with Wales u21’s and Newport RFC from 1982 to 1986.
