The Welsh Rugby Union's appointment of Lyndon Faulkner as their new chair has been praised by former Wales centre Mark Ring. Faulkner, the nephew of Wales legend Charlie, fills the position vacated by Richard Collier-Keywood earlier this year.
Having been a successful CEO in the United States, Faulkner joins the WRU as they look to cut a professional team. On X, Ring posted: "Is Appt of Lyndon Faulkner as WRU Chairman true? If so, what a man we have in place."
"Obviously the name Faulkner will resonate with the Wales Supporters, as the nephew of Tony ‘Charlie’ Faulkner and his career as a centre for Pontypool & Newport but what a business profile too."
Faulkner's Rugby and Business Career
Faulkner hails from Newport and attended Bassaleg Comprehensive School while he played first-class rugby for Newport and Pontypool. In his time at the club, Pontypool won the Welsh Cup final and were Welsh league winners three years in a row before a serious knee injury cut short his playing career.
Faulkner has held senior executive roles at global technology leaders, helping generate billions in revenue and launch products that transformed industries. He played pivotal roles in the introduction of CDs and DVDs, before leading Welsh company Nimbus CD International’s NASDAQ flotation. He also held a senior role at Microsoft.
Hardy Suffers Major Knee Injury
Wales and Ospreys scrum-half Kieran Hardy could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, after his partner posted the extent of the knee injury suffered on Friday night. The 30-year-old limped off during the first-half of the Ospreys' win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade and is now wearing a significant knee brace and is on crutches.
Speaking about Hardy's injury on Friday night, Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said: "I don't know on Kieran at the moment. He felt something with his knee."
"There was quite a lot of apparatus on the pitch. He was pretty keen to walk off. We don't really know yet. It's never good when you see that. Kieran isn't the sort of guy to stay down, either. We'll have to wait and see."
However, in a post on Instagram, Hardy's partner Ellie has said that the scrum-half has suffered a "triple ligament snap in his knee". The Ospreys have a press conference on Tuesday ahead of their Challenge Cup clash with Black Lion, with an official update likely on Hardy.
Dee Praised for New Approach
In-form Wales international Elliot Dee has been praised for his new approach to the game after catapulting himself into Test contention. The Dragons hooker is currently the leading try-scorer in the United Rugby Championship, having scored five times in three matches so far this season.
That could see Dee, who was last capped by Wales in the 2025 Six Nations, earn a place in back in the national side. Having featured against Wales for the Barbarians this summer, the 32-year-old was called up by Steve Tandy as injury cover ahead of their Nations Championship clash with South Africa - but he was ultimately not involved.
However, the 55-cap hooker is clearly enjoying his rugby at the minute - crediting his new approach to the sport. "I am enjoying turning up for work. I am proud to be from Gwent and to play for the Dragons – I am really enjoying it," he said after scoring two tries against the Ospreys.
"As you got older it is easier to travel light and this is a game of rugby with 30 blokes on the field. It’s really important, but you also learn it is not the most important thing in life. I turn up and try to do my job as best as I can. Try not to worry too much about things and try and perform for the team."
His coach at the Dragons, Filo Tiatia, was full of praise for the work Dee has put in. "Elliot has worked hard on parts of his game. We have some young guys here who are kicking the door down for the number two shirt and we have had numerous conversations," said Tiatia.
"He has an opportunity to keep growing parts of his game and he has worked hard. I am enjoying watching him play and lead."
Exeter Chiefs Add Another Injury Cover
Exeter Chiefs are set to sign more injury cover, just days after bringing in Welshman Carwyn Tuipulotu to the club. The Gallagher Prem outfit added uncapped No. 8 Tuipulotu to their ranks last week, following his departure from France in the summer.
Having left Pau, Tuipulotu had been without a club - even training with the Dragons in pre-season to get some rugby under his belt. Rob Baxter is set to bring in more forward reinforcements, with South Africa second-row Andre Goedhals in line to join from Currie Cup outfit Pumas, according to Rugbypass.
The 21-year-old is English-qualified, as he holds a British passport due to being born in Devon while his parents lived there. He previously won South Africa U20s honours, before moving to the Pumas from the Stormers.
