Gallacher’s most recent position as an administrator has been as chief executive of Regional Rugby Wales, but he has been involved in the game for the duration of his career – from being capped by his country in the 11-6 victory over France in April of 1970 to leading Llanelli Rugby Club and then the Scarlets as chief executive.
The former second row played both codes of the game and was a Barbarians regular, but has arguably made his most important contributions as an administrator, spending 16 years on the board of European Rugby Cup Ltd and playing an integral role in the formation and development of RRW.
WRU Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: “It’s been a pleasure to have sat round the board tables of the European Rugby Cup and the Celtic League with Stuart for the past eight years.
“We may have had our disagreements, but I’ve always enjoyed his company and have both valued his contributions and respected them.
“Stuart is a great character and he will be sorely missed, we wish him all the very best in his retirement and I send my best wishes to him and his family.
Recognised and respected as one of the game’s most influential figures during a huge period of change in professional rugby, Gallacher’s tenure at the helm of the Scarlets included three Heineken Cup semi-finals, a Celtic league title and an EDF Energy Cup final appearance.
WRU chairman David Pickering, himself is a former Llanelli stalwart, added: “As a former Scarlet I know all about the high esteem in which Stuart is held in West Wales. As a player himself he excelled in both Rugby Union and Rugby League and carried that professionalism and dedication through into management of the game.
“He has made an outstanding contribution to rugby and is a passionate rugby man and he will be recorded in the history books as someone who made a significant contribution to safeguarding the future of our national game.”
