By Peter Taylor
March 14 2012

Some facts about our new DoR.

Profile 

Born - 11th July 1963 Nuneaton, Leicestershire, England 

Playing Career 

Leicester Tigers 1982 - 1996 
England 48 caps (1986 – 1996) 
British & Irish Lions 6 caps (1989 – Australia & 1993 – New Zealand) 

Coaching Career 

1998 – 2004 - Leicester Tigers 
2004 – 2005 - FC Grenoble 
2005 – 2009 - Harlequins 

Dean Richards – aka Deano – the player always looked slow and ponderous, but he had the knack of being able to read a game, so be where the action was before it happened. He was talismanic to a whole generation of England fans. After his distinguished playing career ended, Deano turned to coaching and was extremely successful. He was always touted as a future England coach, before that fateful game, when the desire to win, overcame common sense! The Heineken Cup quarter – final v Leinster and down came Deano’s world! 

Playing Career 

Deano went to school at John Cleveland College, Hinkley, a famous midlands rugby school, alma mater for 6 Tigers and England players, Barry Evans, Graham Rowntree, Ollie Smith, Sam Vesty, Manu Tuilagi and Deano. After school Deano joined Leicestershire Constabulary, as a police constable, after a season playing in France for Roanne, he joined Leicester Tigers in 1982. He was captain of Tigers for 4 years in the 1990’s. He won the Courage League twice as a player and the knock out cup 3 times. He was voted Whitbread’s Rugby World Player of the Year in 1990/91. Deano was Leicester captain when they first appeared in the Heineken Cup Final, the 28 – 9 loss to Brive in the 1997 Final played at Cardiff Arm’s Park. 

As an international Deano represented the U18 Schools 3 times, graduating in 1983 to representing the Barbarians, as well as being selected for the England U23 tour to Romania. Deano made his full England debut in 1986 against Ireland in the Five Nations Tournament. England won 25 – 20, with Deano scoring 2 tries. Deano became integral to the England side going on to win 48 caps, coupled with 6 British and Irish Lion’s caps on 2 tours, 1989 to Australia, and 1993 to New Zealand. Deano, also, represented England at the first 3 Rugby World Cups, 1987, 1991 and 1995. 

Deano retired from playing in 1997. 

Coaching Career 

Deano was promoted to Head Coach of Leicester Tigers in 1998, when Australian, Bob Dywer. In his first full season Deano lead Tigers to the Allied Dunbar Premiership title for the 3rd time and then successfully defended that title for the next 4 seasons. Tigers also won back to back Heineken Cups, the only side to do this feat, beating Stade Francias, 34 – 30 in Paris in 2001 and Munster, 15 – 9 in Cardiff in 2002. 

After 2 winless seasons in 2003 – 04 and 2004 – 05, Deano and Tigers part company in February 2003. The parting is not amicable as Deano asked that his name be removed from round Welford Road. 

In June 2004 Deano joined FC Grenoble in France but this was not a successful partnership and the two parted company at the end of the season, by mutual agreement. 

In May 2005 Deano was appointed Director of Rugby at Harlequins, following Quins relegation from the Zurich Premiership. This proved a fruitful partnership as Quins were promoted from the Championship after just the one season, 2005 – 06, losing just 1 game all season. This success continued as Deano steered Quins into the Heineken Cup in 2006 – 07 season. Everything was going fine until that fateful afternoon, when winning was worth the chance of being caught out by trying to bend the rules to get Nick Evans back on the field to drop the goal that would win the game for Quins against the side that would go on to win the whole tournament. Enough has been written on this subject, suffice it to say Deano was banned for 3 years from all rugby related activities, effective from August 2009. 

This ban will be completed in August 2012. 

Welcome to Newcastle Falcons Deano, we the fans hope that you are happy and will bring back winning as the norm.