Ex-Wales rugby ace sells Abergavenny hotel (From South Wales Argus)

Ex-Wales rugby ace Richard Wallace sells Llanwenarth Hotel, near Abergavenny

3:10pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News

FORMER Welsh rugby international Richard Wallace is having to sell his Monmouthshire hotel because of ill-health.

Mr Wallace, 68, has co-owned the The Llanwenarth Hotel and Riverside Restaurant, on the A40 near Abergavenny, with Jon West since 2003.

But after ten years at the helm of the 17th century hotel, which has featured in the 2008 hotels and restaurants Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr Wallace, of Abergavenny, says mobility problems caused by his sporting career mean he has to sell up.

Mr Wallace played 90 rugby union games for Bristol in the 1960s and 1970s before turning professional and moving north to play rugby league.

He turned out for Wales against France in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup before retiring from the sport at 34.

He moved into the hospitality industry and formerly ran The Beaufort, Chepstow.

He said: “With a replacement hip and a damaged spine, mobility is becoming more difficult and it’s time to let new owners take over this lovely location.

“My old injuries are beginning to come home to roost and I am struggling to walk now.”

The 17-bedroom hotel, which lies on the bank of the River Usk within the Brecon Beacons National Park, is on the market for £575,000