Paul Thorburns legendary penalty kick from 1986

Last weekend in the Six Nations Wales were awarded a Penalty close to the half way line. The commentators jokingly said ‘Bring back Paul Thorburn’.

For those of you who heard that comment and didn’t really understand what it meant, I’ve managed to track down this excellent quality video of a moment of legend, thanks to a Rugbydump fan who sent me the link.

In the 1986 Five Nations game between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff Arms park, Welsh fullback Paul Thorburn put over one of the biggest kicks you will ever see, at just over 60 meters.

The commentary of the legendary Bill McLaren makes it even more special, combined with the fact that he kicked it from a divot he created in the grass – there were no proper tees back then.

An amazing feat that will go down in Welsh rugby folklore for being probably the biggest kick to ever be seen on the international rugby stage.

And to rub salt into the wound, he followed it up with an easy 49m penalty a few minutes later.