Director Shareholding

Wolseley PLC
17 December 2001


WOLSELEY PLC - DIRECTOR SHARE PURCHASE


17 December 2001


Ordinary shares of 25p each


Wolseley plc hereby notifies the following director share purchase pursuant to
a share option exercise under the terms of the Wolseley Executive Share Option
Scheme. This took place today:


Director's No. of options    Exercise price per  No. of shares Date of exercise
      Name      exercised      share (in pence)      purchased       / purchase


   Jacques         16,600                220.75         16,600         17.12.01
  Descours


As a result of the above Mr Descours now holds 16,600 shares in the Company.


For and on behalf of Wolseley plc


Edward Parker

Assistant Company Secretary