Rory UNDERWOOD

An RAF Flight-lieutenant, Rory Underwood played his rugby with all the speed and skill associated with his day job. He burst onto the international scene in 1984 and would remain as England's premier winger for the next twelve seasons. Such longevity enabled him to gain the honour of becoming the first man to play 50 times for England; a milestone reached in the epic 1991 World Cup semi-final against Scotland. Blessed with searing pace and capable of scoring spectacular tries, he was equally at home on either the right or left wing. Underwood steadily rose through the ranks, playing for England Students, Colts, Under-23s and England B. Educated at Barnard Castle School in Durham, he was a contemporary of Rob Andrew, the England fly-half, who would similarly go on to break records for his country.

A darling of the Leicester crowds, Underwood scored his first international try in only his second game - an opportunist try in which he displayed the exhilarating turn of pace which would become his hallmark. However, the inconsistency of his try-scoring in his first three seasons of international rugby - 2 tries in 12 games - is primarily linked to the state of English rugby at this time which was in the doldrums. This lack of creativity and indeed ability was exposed at the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, where England went out at the quarter-final stage in a dreadful game against the Welsh. The only satisfaction gained by the Leicester flyer was two tries against the Japanese in a group game. The 1988 season marked a water-shed for both Underwood and English rugby. The arrival of coach Geoff Cooke and captain Will Carling transformed English fortunes. This renaissance is expressed in Underwood's performance in the 1988 season - he would score nine tries in nine games. (John Lovell)

Underwood was becoming increasingly adept at leaving opposing wingers clutching at his vapour trails and the touring Fijians would be amongst those who suffered most. On a memorable Twickenham afternoon in 1989, Underwood crossed the Fijian line no less than five times, and in doing so equalled the then world record. This kind of form made him a must for the British Lions tour in the same year. One of eight Englishmen on the tour, his attacking opportunities were limited but he still managed four tries in eight appearances; including two incredible tries against New South Wales. On his return, he was able to add guile to his undoubted pace and would score five tries in the 1990 season, including two spectacular efforts in the demolition of Wales.

A hat-trick would follow against Argentina. Despite this, many continued to criticise his defensive abilities; true, he often went for the interception, and could occasionally lose concentration but with his pace few got past. In the 1991 season, the England side were able to overcome the disappointment of defeat against Scotland the previous season, which robbed them of the Grand Slam, to finally take the title. England then made their way to the final of the World Cup; it was in the semi-final of the tournament that Underwood gained his 50th cap. Presented with the ball after the game, David Campese, the Australian winger, quipped that 'it was the only time he got the ball in the game' - a reference to England's limited game plan. Further Grand Slam success would follow and in 1993 Underwood would make his second Lions trip, to New Zealand. Making seven tour appearances and figuring in all three tests, he scored a crucial try in the second test which gave the Lions their biggest test-winning margin against the All Blacks. (John Lovell)

Despite the disappointment of defeat with the Lions, Underwood continued to build on his impressive record. Retirement was not an option as far as the thirty year old was concerned! Anyway, he had a younger brother Tony on the scene to keep him on his toes - he had gained his first cap in 1992 and displayed the same pace which had made Rory such an incredible success. In 1994 there would be no Grand Slam but the following year there was the famous test victory against the South Africans in Pretoria - not many touring sides win there. The 1995 season, saw England's continued domination of Northern Hemisphere rugby, with France their only real rivals. The Grand Slam was claimed and England marched into the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. This was Rory's third World Cup but the ultimate rugby prize would elude him.

England progressed to the quarter-final stage, where a Rob Andrew drop-goal, ensured there was some revenge for the defeat in the 1991 Final against Australia. They entered the semi-final with some confidence but the All Blacks and their new found sensation, Jonah Lomu, had different ideas and quite simply thumped England. Rory will be thankful that it was his brother who had the thankless task of marking the man-mountain! Rory's swansong in 1996 would not see another Grand Slam but he can be quite content with his enviable record. He was England's most capped player with 85 caps. He had scored 49 tries (the second highest) and had made no less than 50 five Nations appearances; in these matches he scored 18 tries. Not bad from a player who was always criticised, rather bizarrely, for his defence! (John Lovell)