Wilkinson has Andrew's record in sight

In those days that was usually a lonely business.

The main priority even for the top club players was to get into the bath before the water went cold and into the bar before last orders.

I was pleasantly surprised therefore to find that not only was there someone to return the solitary ball to me but that he was returning it with interest.

I soon discovered that here was a man who had recently returned from a spell as a kicker with the Minnesota Vikings in the American Football League.

More importantly I also found out that he was now a teacher at a local school and was more than willing to share some of the drills he had picked up on the other side of the pond.

After several sessions with pulleys (to develop the right kicking muscles), American footballs and cricket nets (to groove the kicking action) and even stop watches and shot-putting circles (to improve "hang time" and accuracy), I could actually feel the difference.

I could punt the ball at least 10 yards further with far greater accuracy and consistency.

Alred is likely to tour Australia with the Lions

In one Barbarians match at Swansea I landed nine goal kicks out of 11 (impressive enough in 1979 and absolutely unheard of from me).

Unfortunately, I had to retire from rugby soon afterwards, from a series of ankle injuries.

But Alred spent several years as a rugby non-person, deemed to have been professionalised by his spell in American football and therefore banned from all contact with "pure" amateurs.

A change in the game's regulations in 1991 allowed Alred back into the fold, along with the illustrious likes of Fran Cotton and Bill Beaumont.

Since then his influence has been felt not just in England, but also in Wales.

World record points-scorer Neil Jenkins has had, admittedly only a few, sessions with Alred - in South Africa and in Australia where he has been a regular visitor.

Alred (l) coaches Jenkins and Catt

Alred also toured with the Lions to South Africa in 1997.

And, if he can square his commitments to England's tour of Canada, he will be guiding the best of British kickers in Australia this June.

Kickers win matches, particularly the tight ones.

That simple rugby truth may not matter too much to an England team currently running rampant against northern hemisphere opposition.

But it won't be forgotten Down Under this summer and it won't be forgotten when England launch their campaign to land the World Cup.

Wilkinson, of course, will be firing the gun that can sink the likes of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, but Dave Alred will be steadying his aim and providing the bullets.