Paul THORBURN

Fullback Paul Thorburn is recognised as one of the few world class players in the Welsh sides of the late 1980s and is most often remembered for his stunning 70 yard penalty against Scotland in the 1986 Five Nations. Paul played his club rugby for Neath, the so called "Welsh All Blacks" and won 37 caps between 1985 and 1991, scoring a record 304 points, the vast majority of which came from the boot. He also captained his side on ten occasions.

Thorburn made his debut against France in Paris and came up against the legendary fullback Serge Blanco for the first time, a player who set up both his side's tries that day. Wales lost the game 14-3, with Paul scoring his team's only points courtesy of a penalty. However, he was to experience victory in the next game against England when he scored 13 points in a 24-15 victory. England were again his opponents in Wales first match of the 1986 campaign at Twickenham, but despite scoring three penalties and converting Bleddyn Bowen's try, Thorburn was unable to prevent the Red Dragon by going down 21-18.

It was in the next match against Scotland that Paul made rugby history by sinking a penalty that was later measured as being 70 yards and 8 and a half inches, the longest successful spot kick in the history of the Arms Park. The penalty came about following a late tackle on Jonathan Davies and the Scots were penalised where the ball landed, which was just inside the Welsh ten metre line. To the astonishment of the crowd, Thorburn launched the ball towards the posts and few, including commentator Bill McClaren, could believe their eyes when it finally crept over the bar.

Paul would later recall of his mighty effort; "That kick alone almost led to me having an American Football career. I had told David Pickering I would have a go and knew that if I missed it would still leave play in the Scotland half. I probably kicked more important goals, but that was my longest. There was an element of hit and hope about it, but I remember I gave it a real hoof". Another penalty sealed the match and gave Thorburn a Welsh record of being the fastest to reach the 50 point mark, having reached 54 in just 5 matches since his debut the year before.

He then gave a faultless display in a 19-12 win against Ireland, before taking on France on St David's Day. Unfortunately, Wales were unable to mark the occasion with a win and eventually lost 23-15, with Paul scoring all of his team's points. (Jon Collins)

Paul played in just one match of the 1987 Five Nations campaign, a 16-9 defeat by France. Thorburn scored all his side's points that day courtesy of three penalties, but broke his collar bone and missed the rest of the season. However, by the summer, the injury had healed and Paul played a full part in Wales successful World Cup campaign. He opened his account with a couple of penalties in a 13-6 win over Ireland in the pool stages and also helped set up a try by Mark Ring.

Wales also defeated Tonga and Canada before progressing to a quarter-final match up with England in Brisbane. The Celts deservedly won a scrappy game 16-3 and outscored the English by three tries to nil, courtesy of Gareth Roberts, Robert Jones and John Devereaux. Unfortunately, the semi-final proved to be a game too far for Wales injury ravaged side and they lost 49-6 to the eventual winners. To many people's surprise, however, Wales won the third place play-off against pre tournament favourites Australia, with Paul sealing a 22-21 win by converting a late try from Adrian Hadley.

Wales then capitalised on their unexpected success by winning a first Five Nations title since 1979, though were denied the Grand Slam when they lost 10-9 to France. For Thorburn, the highlight of the campaign was probably an injury time penalty that sealed victory against Ireland, a pressure kick that Paul rated more highly than his effort against Scotland in '86. Later in the year, Wales suffered their second defeat by Romania in two matches by going down 15-9 in Cardiff (Romania had won 24-6 in Bucharest in 1983). However, Thorburn showed his versatility by coming on as a replacement as a winger for Glen Webbe. His penalty and conversion also took him past Phil Bennett's Welsh record of 166 points. (Jon Collins)

Wales were unable to defend their title in 1989, but had the consolation of denying England a first Five Nations Championship since 1980 by winning 12-9 in Cardiff. Thorburn played a full part in the victory by scoring two penalties and also converting Mike Hall's disputed try. Later in the year Wales were defeated 34-9 by New Zealand in Cardiff, with Paul scoring all the home sides points.

After four consecutive drubbings by the All Blacks (including two in the summer of 1988 in which Thorburn did not play), the loss prompted Howard Evans to write in his chronicle of Welsh rugby "Times had changed. Now Wales were settling for any score under 50 against New Zealand." By 1990 it became clear that the glory days were well behind Wales, despite new coach Ron Waldron's efforts to transfer his success at Neath to the international stage.

Wales lost all four matches in the Five Nations for the first time ever, despite running eventual champions Scotland very close in Cardiff. In the summer, Wales then ventured to Namibia where they won a mini series 2-0 in Windhoek with Paul scoring a try, two penalties and two conversions in the first test. That year Thorburn also set a Welsh record of 21 points in a special game against the Barbarians, though his side eventually went down 24-31. The Barbarians scored tries through Joe Stanley, Nick Farr Jones, Eric Rush and Jeremy Guscott, whilst Bath's Stuart Barnes kicked the goals.

The 1991 season was possibly the worst Wales had suffered to date, with three defeats in the Five Nations and an unacceptable 63-6 loss to Australia in the summer. Paul was the only contributor to the Welsh cause that day and was appalled by the behaviour of his teammates at the post match banquet. In his autobiography, "Kicked Into Touch" he launched a scathing attack on those who he felt had brought the Welsh game into disrepute: "We were a bunch of whingers and drinkers. I also believe that to cause a fracas, whatever the cause, before an invited audience, including the world press is inexcusable.

I cannot understand how Welsh players with continual hangovers can expect to compete with the Australians and New Zealanders of this world. For some of our senior players, seasoned internationals, not to give of their best, preferring the wine bottle to the training ground, is inexplicable. For some of my own club players from Neath to square up to fellow Welsh squad players, hoping to be recognised as the "Hard Men" of the tour, was pathetic." Strong words indeed, and Paul was so disillusioned with Welsh rugby that he decided to retire after the match and thus missed his side's World Cup campaign later in the year. However, in retirement Paul gave back to the game in his role as Tournament Director for the 1999 World Cup. (Jon Collins)