TRIBUTES have been paid to legendary Pontypool RFC forward Anthony George ‘Charlie’ Faulkner, who has died aged 81.

Faulkner made up one third of the formidable Pontypool Front Row, or ‘Viet Gwent’, alongside Graham Price and Bobby Windsor.

The trio became Wales’ first one-club front row when they played against France in the 1975 Five Nations Championship, and they would go on to line up together for their country on 19 occasions.

South Wales Argus: Graham Price, Bobby Windsor, and Charlie Faulkner (L-R) representing Wales..Graham Price, Bobby Windsor, and Charlie Faulkner (L-R) representing Wales..

Faulkner was also a member of the 1977 British and Irish Lions squad.

He also played for Newport Saracens and Cross Keys, as well as the Barbarians and Monmouthshire.

Born in Newport, Faulkner would later coach his home team, Newport RFC, between 1982 and 1986. He also coached Cardiff, Caerphilly and St Peter’s.

Faulkner, Price and Windsor were even immortalised in song by entertainer Max Boyce in his 1975 song Pontypool Front Row.

South Wales Argus: Graham Price and Charlie Faulkner at the Pontypool RFC exhibition at Torfaen Museum.Graham Price and Charlie Faulkner at the Pontypool RFC exhibition at Torfaen Museum. (Image: christinsleyphotography.co.uk)

A statement from Pontypool RFC said: “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 make 210 Pooler appearances and scored 12 tries.

“He also played for the Barbarians and, in January 1975, made history with his fellow Pontypool front row colleagues, hooker Bobby Windsor and tight head prop Graham Price, to be the first club front row to be selected to play for Wales against France in Paris.

“Together, the Pontypool Front Row played 19 times for their country between 1975 and 1979 and Charlie scored a try against Ireland in 1975.

South Wales Argus: Graham Price, Bobby Windsor, and Charlie Faulkner in 2014.Graham Price, Bobby Windsor, and Charlie Faulkner in 2014. (Image: Mark Lewis Photography)

“During their stay in the Welsh team, Wales won the Grand Slam twice and the Triple Crown three times.

“The Front Row also represented Monmouthshire and the British Lions in 1977 when Charlie was a replacement on the tour and the trio played in three of the last five games – against Counties/Thames Valley, Bay of Plenty and the game against Fiji on their journey home – the first club front row to play for the British Lions.

“Charlie was a much-loved character and a massive part of the history of Pontypool RFC.

“He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

“Everyone at Pontypool RFC sends their deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Charlie’s family at this very difficult time.”