Biography
Dean Richards, born on July 11, 1963, in Nuneaton, England, is one of rugby union’s most iconic number eights. Known for his physical prowess and tactical intelligence, Richards enjoyed a distinguished playing and coaching career spanning over four decades. Standing at 1.91 meters and weighing 121 kg, his presence on the pitch was commanding. He played 314 games for Leicester Tigers from 1982 to 1997, earning 48 caps for England and 6 for the British & Irish Lions.
Following his retirement, Richards transitioned seamlessly into coaching, enjoying success at Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, and Newcastle Falcons. Despite a controversial episode during his coaching tenure, his contributions to English and international rugby remain highly respected.
Teams Played For
- Roanne (France) – Early 1980s
- Leicester Tigers – 1982–1997
- England – 1986–1996
- British & Irish Lions – 1989, 1993
Rugby World Cups Played
- 1987 Rugby World Cup
- 1991 Rugby World Cup
- 1995 Rugby World Cup
Career Highlights
- Club Success with Leicester Tigers
- Won inaugural English league title in 1987–88
- Captained Tigers to the 1994–95 Courage League title
- Captained team to 1993 Pilkington Cup and 1997 Pilkington Cup victory
- International Achievements
- Played 48 matches for England, scoring 24 points
- Participated in three Rugby World Cups (1987, 1991, 1995)
- Represented the British & Irish Lions in two tours (Australia 1989, New Zealand 1993)
- Three-time Grand Slam winner with England (1991, 1992, 1995)
- Coaching Triumphs
- Led Leicester Tigers to four consecutive Premiership titles (1999–2002)
- Won back-to-back Heineken Cups in 2001 and 2002
- Promoted Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons back to the Premiership
- Comeback from Controversy
- After the “Bloodgate” scandal and a three-year coaching ban, returned to lead Newcastle Falcons to competitive form, including an 8th-place Premiership finish in 2017 – their best in over a decade
Personal Life
Before rugby turned professional, Richards served as a police constable with Leicestershire Constabulary. He is an alumnus of John Cleveland College in Hinckley and was honored with a Master of Arts from Loughborough University in 1995 for his services to sport. His career, though not without controversy, remains a story of resilience, leadership, and enduring impact on English rugby.