Paul Thorburn

{{Short description|Wales international rugby union player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Paul Thorburn

| image = Paul Thorburn 2014.jpg

| caption = Paul Thorburn in 2014

| birth_name = Paul Huw Thorburn

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1962|11|24}}

| birth_place = Rheindahlen, West Germany

| height = {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|14|st|2|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

| position = Full back

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 = South Gower RFC

| amatteam2 = Ebbw Vale RFC

| amatteam3 = Neath RFC

| amatteam4 = Barbarian F.C.

| ru_amclubcaps =

| ru_amclubpoints =

| ru_amupdate =

| repteam1 = Wales

| repyears1 = 1985–1991

| repcaps1 = 37

| reppoints1 = 304

| ru_ntupdate =

| coachteams1 =

| coachyears1 =

| ru_coachupdate =

| school = Hereford Cathedral School

| university = University College, Swansea

}}

Paul Thorburn (born 24 November 1962 in Rheindahlen, West Germany) is a former Neath RFC and international Wales rugby union player who played at full back and also featured in the Welsh international team.

Thorburn was a prolific long-distance goal kicker. He holds the record for the longest successful kick in an international test match (although not the longest in Rugby Union as a whole). He gained the record during the 1986 Five Nations Championship at Cardiff Arms Park with a penalty kick measuring exactly 70 yards 8 and a half inches (64.2m) against Scotland.

Thorburn was also in the Wales squad for the 1987 Rugby World Cup, during which he scored a conversion that won Wales third place in the competition.

He retired from playing in 1991. He was tournament director for the World Cup in 1999 and also a former special projects manager for the Welsh Rugby Union.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Departing-Thorburn-gets-Ospreys-salute/article-2311317-detail/article.html |title=THE Ospreys have paid tribute to Paul Thorburn after his surprise departure from the Liberty Stadium |publisher=Thisissouthwales.co.uk |date=2010-06-16 |access-date=2013-11-25}}

In 2006 he joined Ospreys after leaving the Welsh Rugby Union, however he left the club in June 2010 to pursue other business interests.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ospreys/8740328.stm |title=BBC Sport – Rugby Union – Ospreys confirm Paul Thorburn departure |publisher=BBC News |date=2010-06-15 |access-date=2013-11-25}}