Ex-Wales rugby captain's firm settles claim from former star

A WATER supplier run by ex-Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering has settled a court claim from former Wales rugby international Leigh Davies.

- CONOR GOGARTY

The retired centre had accused Hydro Industries of cheating him out of more than £125,000.

Mr Davies, 48, earned 21 caps and played for teams including Scarlets and Ospreys. Mr Pickering, 64, was a flanker who captained Wales before managing the national team and then spending 11 years as WRU chairman. He is chairman of Hydro, a Carmarthenshire-based firm which provides drinking water in various countries and last year had more than £5.2m in net assets.

In his claim, which was due to go to trial at Cardiff County Court, Mr Davies accused Hydro of "deception" over Middle East business deals and said he no longer trusted Mr Pickering or the other directors. But we understand a settlement has been reached and the claim withdrawn.

Hydro told us: "The proceedings have been stayed on the basis of confidential terms that neither party is free to disclose or discuss."

The business previously made headlines in 2021, having secured millions in UK Government funding after donating £71,000 to the then ruling Tory Party. One of its directors is journalist Guto Harri, who was a top aide to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Davies's claim - first revealed by us in January - alleged that he got to know people involved in Hydro after helping one of its directors with fitness training. Mr Davies allegedly introduced the directors to a friend he knew from charity rugby events in Dubai. That friend was a "close business partner and friend with the royal family in the United Arab Emirates", the filing alleged.