Rugby Shorts
Welsh full back Paul Thorburn booted his way into the international test match record book on this day in rugby history in a 1986 Five Nations match with his kick of 70 yards and 8.5 inches. The kick is not likely to ever be out kicked.
The kick was one of 5 for Thorburn that day and gave Wales a 22-15 win over Scotland in Cardiff.
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The kick is even more impressive by the fact that it was from an angle, played off the ground (not a tee), and in damp conditions.
"That kick alone almost led to me having an American Football career,” Thorburn recall about the kick. “I had told [captain] 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".
Rugby Birthdays
1982 – Gavin Henson, Welsh rugby union player
