Paul Ackford

Paul Ackford (born 26 February 1958) is a former English rugby union international who played lock forward. He was formerly an Inspector in the Metropolitan Police and is now a journalist.

Ackford was born in Hanover, West Germany. He played lock for England B aged 21 and represented Cambridge in the 1979 Varsity Match, but did not make an impact until joining Harlequins and the Police in 1988. After impressing for London Division against the touring Wallabies, He made his England debut 5 November 1988 against Australia, aged 30.

Partnering Wade Dooley, Ackford became an important part of the new side captained by Will Carling. He went on the 1989 British Lions tour to Australia, where he played all three tests.

In 1990 he was famously punched unconscious by the young Argentine hooker Federico Mendez, which saw Mendez sent off. Mendez later claimed it was a case of mistaken identity. He had meant to hit Jeff Probyn, who had trodden on his balls. [The Independent, Thursday 9 October 2008] Ackford was part of the England side that won a Five Nations Grand Slam in 1991. He retired from international rugby after the 1991 World Cup, becoming a journalist and writing for the "Sunday Telegraph". His column is also available online at telegraph.co.uk

External links

* [http://www.planet-rugby.com/stats/players/players_listing.phtml/p_r/ENG?setCode=archive&search_text=Paul+Ackford&tournament_code=international&country=&scdate=1871&ecdate=2004&position=&sbdate=1871&ebdate=2004&go=Submit Planet-rugby stats and bio]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=711 Sporting heroes 1]
** [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=712 sporting heroes 2]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk Telegraph.co.uk]