Former England and Bristol great John Thorne dies, aged 74

FORMER Bristol and England hooker John Thorne died at his Frenchay home at the age of 74 on Saturday morning after a short illness.

Thorne was once described as a player who "charges around like a rhino in the loose; strikes like an adder in the tight" which earned him a place in the England trials for the 1963 Five Nations Championship.

He made his international debut in England's victory over Wales in Cardiff and then went on England's first overseas tour to New Zealand and Australia winning a total of three caps.

Thorne played for Cleve before joining Bristol for the 1955-56 season, succeeding Don Woodward as hooker.

He represented Western Clubs against Canada in 1962 and Western Counties against New Zealand in 1963. His 36 appearances for Gloucestershire included the 1959 championship final.

Bristol's vice-captain for 1964-65, Thorne left the club at the end of the season and returned to Cleve when John Pullin was becoming Bristol's first choice hooker, although Thorne regularly helped out as a prop.

He captained Cleve and was still playing for them when asked to help out Bristol when Pullin was touring with the 1971 British Lions.

Thorne, who scored 12 tries during 287 games for Bristol between 1955 and 1971, later became the public address announcer at the Memorial Ground for many years.