Steve Richards (rugby union) explained

Steve Richards
Full Name:Stephen Brookhouse Richards
Birth Date:28 August 1941
Birth Place:West Kirby, England
Occupation:Solicitor
School:Clifton College
University:University of Oxford
Position:Hooker
Repyears1:1965–67
Repcaps1:9
Reppoints1:0

Stephen Brookhouse Richards (born 28 August 1941) is an English former international rugby union player.

Born in West Kirby, Richards learned his rugby union while a pupil at Clifton College, where he one of his coaches was ex-England back-rower John Kendall-Carpenter. He underwent further studies at the University of Oxford and was awarded a blue his final year in 1962.[1]

Richards was a surprise selection as England hooker for the 1965 Five Nations. This came only a few months after he had taken the hooker position for his club Richmond, having been an understudy to Pat Orr. He subsequently took Orr's place in the Middlesex county side and won his England call up following his performances in three trials matches. After featuring in all of England Five Nations fixtures, Richards lost his position to John Pullin.[2]

In 1967, Richards resumed his England career, playing a match against the Wallabies at Twickenham, followed by the Five Nations and a tour of Canada. Pullin was then able to cement himself as the team's regular hooker and Richards didn't get any further opportunities, finishing with nine caps.[3]

Richards became a solicitor.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Richards and Jackson Win Blues . . 1 December 1962.
  2. News: Decisive day for England hooker . . 27 November 1965.
  3. News: Job satisfaction as Pullin nears record . . 13 November 1973.
  4. News: Botherway . Nigel . Caught in Time . . 9 September 2007 . en.