Wales and Lions legend Graham Price has retired as a WalesOnline columnist after nearly 40 years, and in his final piece he has expressed confidence that his former Pontypool team-mate Lyndon Faulkner can help revive Welsh rugby.
Price, a member of the famous Pontypool front row and holder of a record 12 Lions Test starts for a Welshman, has been sharing his insight into the game since the late 1980s, starting with Wales on Sunday. With his 75th birthday approaching, he said the time had come to step away.
A career of honest opinions
Known for forthright but constructive criticism, Price said he had always tried to be honest, even if it ruffled feathers. "Not everyone has always agreed with me, differing opinions are the beauty of rugby, but I've always been true to my beliefs in what I say," he said.
Reflecting on his time as a columnist, Price described Welsh rugby as an "incredible boom or bust rollercoaster," with highs such as Grand Slams and great players often followed by lows tinged with controversy.
Favourite memories against England
Price singled out matches against England among his most cherished memories, including the 30-3 victory in 2013 and the 2015 World Cup match at Twickenham when England went for a try instead of a draw and lost.
He also recalled the 1993 match at the Arms Park, when Ieuan Evans scored after a Rory Underwood error for a 10-9 win. "I was in the company of my former Lions team-mates, Steve Smith, Maurice Colclough among them, and they were super confident. So let's just say I enjoyed driving it into them over a few beers!" he said.
Hope in Lyndon Faulkner
Despite Welsh rugby currently being "on the rocks," Price sees hope in Faulkner, who has taken over as WRU chairman. "Obviously our game is in a dark place at the moment, but if anyone can shine a light forward it's Lyndon," Price said. "He combines outstanding business acumen with a deep knowledge of Welsh rugby."
Price noted that Faulkner, though quiet in the dressing room, would not be afraid to speak his mind and upset people if necessary. He added that Faulkner's upbringing under coach Ray Prosser at Pontypool would help him, as he would need a thick skin.
Lessons from the past
Price drew parallels between today and the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Welsh rugby was also in a poor state. He recalled the arrival of Graham Henry, who brought belief and transformed the set-up, leading to a 10-match winning streak and a first-ever win over South Africa.
However, controversy over the eligibility of Brett Sinkinson and Shane Howarth followed, and Henry was later replaced by Steve Hansen. Price praised Shane Williams' performance in the 2003 World Cup, saying the reserves "decided they weren't just going to rock up as cannon-fodder" and played off-the-cuff rugby.
Price also discussed the Mike Ruddock era, which brought a first Grand Slam in 27 years but ended with his sudden resignation, and the Warren Gatland years, which he said brought three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals despite a limited game plan.
Dream Wales XV and final tale
Price named his best Wales XV of his punditry era: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, Ieuan Evans; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau.
He explained his choices, praising Halfpenny's all-round game, North's similarity to Jonah Lomu, and Gibbs' ability to complement Davies. He also noted that Phillips was better than Rob Howley, and that Charteris was a more reliable source of ball than other lock options.
In a final tale from his Pontypool days, Price recounted an incident involving Bobby Windsor in Paris, where Windsor kicked French second row Alain Esteve in the face during a scrum. Esteve, a huge and feared player, simply stood up, smiled and winked. Windsor, panicking, asked Charlie Faulkner what to do, and Faulkner replied: "Tell him he's wanted on the phone." Price said the story genuinely happened during a Wales versus France match.
