Richards was appointed Newcastle Falcons director of rugby in 2012, following three years out of the game.
Having won four Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups with Leicester Tigers as well as guiding Harlequins to promotion back to the top-flight at the first attempt, Richards brought with him a wealth of top level coaching experience.
Often regarded as England’s best ever Number Eight, Richards remains one of the most recognisable figures in the English game.
His first season at the helm saw the Falcons bounce back up to the Premiership at the first time of asking after an almost unbeaten one-season run in the RFU Championship.
In the seasons that followed, Richards laid out his vision for the on-field future of the Falcons, and has since set about developing a coaching and playing squad capable of delivering the exciting and entertaining brand of rugby he aims to bring.
The former England and Lions back-rower masterminded the Falcon's climb up to eighth in the 2016/17 season.
He was at the helm of a remarkable effort during the 2017/18 campaign, which has seen the Falcons reaching the Premiership semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history, also reaching the semi-final stage in both the European Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup.
In May 2018, Richards confirmed he had signed a new three-year deal to extend his stay as Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby.
(LS May 2, 2018)
Career
 |
Leicester Tigers Coach |
1998 - 2004 |
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Grenoble Coach |
2004 - 2005 |
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Harlequins Coach |
2005 - 2009 |
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Newcastle Falcons Head Coach |
2012 - 2023 |
