Dean Richards becomes Harlequins Director of Rugby
By Prof May 9 2005
Well one of the worst kept secrets about the arrivals at Harlequins is finally out, Dean Richards will be the Director of Rugby taking over from Mark Evans who had the dual role of CEO and Head Coach.
Well one of the worst kept secrets about the arrivals at Harlequins is finally out, Dean Richards will be the Director of Rugby taking over from Mark Evans who had the dual role of CEO and Head Coach.
Richards is one of the most successful players and coaches in the English club game having won numerous titles and trophies at Leicester Tigers. He was with the east midlands team for seventeen seasons as a player (captaining them 1990-91 & 1993-97) and a further eight as director of rugby before he was ousted and went over to Grenoble where he had a torrid time. He was a player in the two title wins in ’88 and ’95 and a director of rugby for their four consecutive league titles between 1999 and 2002 and back to back Heineken Cup successes in 2001 and 2002.
His England career started in March 1986 against Ireland when he scored two tries becoming the first England forward to do so on debut since 1929. He played in nine Five Nations tournaments winning three Grand Slams (‘91, ‘92 and ‘95) and winning the championship in 1996. He was a Lions tourist to Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993 and he played in all six tests. He also captained the Lions to victory twice: against Australia B in 1989 and Canterbury in 1993. He played in the first three World Cups (’87, ’91 & ‘95)
He was part of a formidable back row alongside the likes of Mike Teague from Gloucester and Harlequins’ own Peter Winterbottom and Micky Skinner – four tougher back rows would be very hard to find. Richards would usually be seen shambling round the field with his socks down round his ankles but he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Richards left Leicester under a cloud after having two relatively unsuccessful seasons at the time he said “I am disappointed to be leaving Leicester Tigers after 23 years at a wonderful club. However, I would like to wish the players and coaches the very best for the future and thank the fans for the tremendous support they have given me both as a player and as a coach.”
Richards's time at Grenoble saw him caught in the middle of a battle between the players and the club’s president Alain Etiévent over who should be coach – they went through three backs coaches in a month!
When he was at Leicester Richards was very much one for bringing on home grown talent rather than buying in players from overseas, we will have to see how this fits with Harlequins’ mix of a cosmopolitan first team squad and a lot of very good home grown youngsters.
Dick Best, the former Harlequins and England coach, was reported in the Richmond & Twickenham Times as saying: "Dean would be an outstanding candidate. I'm sure he would do a fantastic job at Quins, bringing a wealth of experience to the club".
The RTT also quoted Tony Russ, Harlequins Academy Director and former director of rugby at Leicester when Richards was a player there, as saying: "It would be a very positive statement of intention from the board. Richards is one of the most successful directors of rugby there has ever been in the British game. He's won the European Cup twice, the league several times and the league cup both as a coach and as a player. If you want someone with a proven track record, then I feel that there is no better candidate for the job".
“I am delighted to be joining NEC Harlequins,” said Richards on the club’s official website. “I am really looking forward to the challenge of working with the current squad of players and taking them back to the Premiership in 12 months time.”
“Dean’s track record speaks for itself,” said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive. “He has had huge success throughout his career, both as a player and a coach. I am extremely confident that he will not only lead us out of Division One at the first attempt, but make us a formidable force on our return to the Premiership."
"Perhaps even more important, his personal qualities and commitment to vital components, such as honesty and integrity, made him the outstanding candidate amongst the huge list of interested candidates.”
Dean Richards has signed a three year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2007/8 season.
I’d like to welcome Dean Richards to the club and wish him every success while he is with us.
Born 11 Jul 63 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Honours: England (48), British Lions (6), Barbarians.
Clubs: Roanne (France), Leicester, Grenoble (DoR).
Record at Leicester: 306+8apps, 105t-431pts.
Last Match: 30 Dec 97 vs. Newcastle.
International Debut: England 25, Ireland 20, 1986
Contract: Harlequins Director of Rugby for 3 years (2005/6 – 2007/8)
His England career started in March 1986 against Ireland when he scored two tries becoming the first England forward to do so on debut since 1929. He played in nine Five Nations tournaments winning three Grand Slams (‘91, ‘92 and ‘95) and winning the championship in 1996. He was a Lions tourist to Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993 and he played in all six tests. He also captained the Lions to victory twice: against Australia B in 1989 and Canterbury in 1993. He played in the first three World Cups (’87, ’91 & ‘95)
He was part of a formidable back row alongside the likes of Mike Teague from Gloucester and Harlequins’ own Peter Winterbottom and Micky Skinner – four tougher back rows would be very hard to find. Richards would usually be seen shambling round the field with his socks down round his ankles but he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Richards left Leicester under a cloud after having two relatively unsuccessful seasons at the time he said “I am disappointed to be leaving Leicester Tigers after 23 years at a wonderful club. However, I would like to wish the players and coaches the very best for the future and thank the fans for the tremendous support they have given me both as a player and as a coach.”
Richards's time at Grenoble saw him caught in the middle of a battle between the players and the club’s president Alain Etiévent over who should be coach – they went through three backs coaches in a month!
When he was at Leicester Richards was very much one for bringing on home grown talent rather than buying in players from overseas, we will have to see how this fits with Harlequins’ mix of a cosmopolitan first team squad and a lot of very good home grown youngsters.
Dick Best, the former Harlequins and England coach, was reported in the Richmond & Twickenham Times as saying: "Dean would be an outstanding candidate. I'm sure he would do a fantastic job at Quins, bringing a wealth of experience to the club".
The RTT also quoted Tony Russ, Harlequins Academy Director and former director of rugby at Leicester when Richards was a player there, as saying: "It would be a very positive statement of intention from the board. Richards is one of the most successful directors of rugby there has ever been in the British game. He's won the European Cup twice, the league several times and the league cup both as a coach and as a player. If you want someone with a proven track record, then I feel that there is no better candidate for the job".
“I am delighted to be joining NEC Harlequins,” said Richards on the club’s official website. “I am really looking forward to the challenge of working with the current squad of players and taking them back to the Premiership in 12 months time.”
“Dean’s track record speaks for itself,” said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive. “He has had huge success throughout his career, both as a player and a coach. I am extremely confident that he will not only lead us out of Division One at the first attempt, but make us a formidable force on our return to the Premiership."
"Perhaps even more important, his personal qualities and commitment to vital components, such as honesty and integrity, made him the outstanding candidate amongst the huge list of interested candidates.”
Dean Richards has signed a three year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2007/8 season.
I’d like to welcome Dean Richards to the club and wish him every success while he is with us.
Born 11 Jul 63 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Honours: England (48), British Lions (6), Barbarians.
Clubs: Roanne (France), Leicester, Grenoble (DoR).
Record at Leicester: 306+8apps, 105t-431pts.
Last Match: 30 Dec 97 vs. Newcastle.
International Debut: England 25, Ireland 20, 1986
Contract: Harlequins Director of Rugby for 3 years (2005/6 – 2007/8)
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