Lesson learned for cheating Bloodgate coach Richards

Dean Richards vowed he will never cross the line again as he prepares to return to rugby after serving a three-year Bloodgate ban.

Richards harbours “huge regrets” over the fake injury scandal which erupted when he was in charge at Harlequins and he accepts some people may never forgive him.

Now the boss at Newcastle Falcons, Richards’ desire to win burns as fiercely as ever. But he also feels wiser for the Bloodgate experience and he insists competitiveness will be channelled in the right ways as he plots Newcastle’s RFU Championship campaign.