Lyndon Faulkner is the new president of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and has confirmed he will review the controversial plan to reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales. Faulkner, who officially takes up the post next month, said he would be prepared to abandon the WRU's decision to scrap one region.
The plan envisages reducing the number of regions from four to three in 2028. Faulkner emphasised that he would not have accepted the job if he was to be the man who merely rubber-stamps other people's decisions. He also admitted he was not aware of the full extent of the WRU's debt until a loss of £18 million for the last financial year was published last week. He visibly paled when asked about the loss and described the finances as worrying.
Faulkner is a millionaire, business magnate and former rugby player, aged 66. He played centre for Pontypool in the 1980s, with whom he won the Welsh Cup. The team included Graham Price, Eddie Butler and David Bishop. Faulkner is the nephew of Welsh great Tony 'Charlie' Faulkner. After a knee injury ended his playing career, he made his mark in the business world. He worked for Welsh technology firm Nimbus, which he eventually owned. He persuaded Richard Branson to invest in CDs, succeeded Robert Maxwell as owner of a company he later took to the New York Stock Exchange, and was involved in the launch of Xbox and Microsoft Office. He also appeared on a television show similar to 'The Apprentice' called The Mentor.
Faulkner expressed understanding for the sense of distrust at Ospreys and Scarlets, the two teams most threatened by the closure. He supported the WRU's decision to save Cardiff. He is also amenable to a possible Anglo-Welsh competition, having played in a similar competition for Pontypool in the 1980s.
Although he will not be part of the WRU's executive team, Faulkner will chair the board. He does not make final decisions, but will have significant influence. His predecessor was Richard Collier-Keywood, who was criticised for not living in Wales or having a base in Welsh rugby. Last week, following the announcement of the financial loss, Swansea council leader Rob Stewart, former player Alex Cuthbert and entrepreneur Hayley Parsons called on WRU chiefs to resign.
