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It is indicative of the inefficiency of England's selection system in the 1980s that Jeff Probyn had to wait until the age of 31 before making his international debut. The Wasps and Askeans prop was originally selected for the 1987 World Cup but played no part in the competition and had to wait until the 1988 Five Nations before making his debut against France alongside his clubmate Paul Rendall. Jeff immediately set about making up for lost time and played in 37 of England's next 44 internationals, proving himself to be one of the best tighthead props in Britain. However, as with everything else in Probyn's career, glory was a long time coming. Indeed, England failed in the 1989 Five Nations Championship when they lost in the last match to Wales, and contrived to blow the Grand Slam a year later when they were beaten by Scotland at Murrayfield.
However, in 1991 England decided to capitalise on their forward strength to win matches with Rob Andrew kicking for territory and Simon Hodgkinson scoring the points. England won all four matches for the first time since 1980 to seal a much deserved Grand Slam. Unfortunately, whilst England had become the dominant side in Europe they were still some way below the level set by Australia and New Zealand. Indeed, England lost to Australia twice that year including the World Cup final, and also lost to New Zealand in the first match of the same tournament. However, in 1992 Probyn was able to add another Grand Slam to his collection as England switched to a faster, more expansive style. Jeff played his last test for England in a 17-3 loss to Ireland in 1993, and also suffered the disappointment of being ignored by the British Lions, an honour he also missed out on in 1989. In total, Probyn played 37 times for England, scoring three tries. (Jon Collins)
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Jeff Probyn pictured playing for England on Saturday November 5th 1988,
against Australia in the 28 -19 win at Twickenham.
Photograph George Herringshaw.©
Career Record: Played 37: Won 25, Drew 1, Lost 11
Test Points: 12
Tries: 3.
1988 v France (Paris) L 10-9 (FN)
1988 v Wales (Twickenham) L 11-3 (FN)
1988 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 9-6 (FN)
1988 v Ireland (Twickenham) W 35-3 (FN)
1988 v Ireland (Dublin) W 21-10
1988 v Australia (Brisbane) L 22-16
1988 v Australia (Sydney) L 28-8
1988 v Australia (Twickenham) W 28-19
1989 v Scotland (Twickenham) D 12-12 (FN)
1989 v Ireland (Dublin) W 16-3 (FN)
1989 v Romania (R) (Bucharest) W 58-3
1990 v Ireland (Twickenham) W 23-0 (FN)
1990 v France (Paris) W 26-7 (FN)
1990 v Wales (Twickenham) W 34-6 (FN)
1990 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 13-7 (FN)
1990 v Argentina (Buenos Aries) W 25-12
1990 v Argentina (Buenos Aries) L 15-13
1990 v Argentina (Twickenham) W 51-0
1991 v Wales (Cardiff) W 25-6 (FN)
1991 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 21-12 (FN)
1991 v Ireland (Dublin) W 16-7 (FN)
1991 v France (Twickenham) W 21-19 (FN)
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1991 v Fiji (Suva) W 28-12
1991 v Australia (Sydney) L 40-15
1991 v New Zealand (Twickenham) L 18-12 (W.Cup)
1991 v Italy (Twickenham) W 36-6 (W.Cup)
1991 v France (Paris) W 19-10 (W.Cup)
1991 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 9-6 (W.Cup)
1991 v Australia (Twickenham) L 12-6 (W.Cup Final)
1992 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 25-7 (FN)
1992 v Ireland (Twickenham) W 38-9 (FN)
1992 v France (Paris) W 31-13 (FN)
1992 v Wales (Twickenham) W 24-0 (FN)
1993 v France (Twickenham) W 16-15 (FN)
1993 v Wales (Cardiff) L 10-9 (FN)
1993 v Scotland (Twickenham) W 26-12 (FN)
1993 v Ireland (Dublin) L 17-3 (FN)
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