Quins appoint Richardson as director of rugby

Relegated Harlequins have unveiled former Leicester boss Dean Richards as their new director of rugby.

The 41-year-old former England player takes over at The Stoop on a three-year deal as the club look to bounce straight back from this season’s relegation from the Zurich Premiership.

Quins finished bottom of the English league this season and Richards will be expected to secure an immediate return to the top flight.

Richards joins straight from French outfit Grenoble where he has been general manager this season.

The former England and Lions international said: “I am delighted to be joining NEC Harlequins. 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.”

Quins chief executive Mark Evans insists Richards’ appointment is part of a long-term plan and not a desperate move to regain Premiership status.

“Dean’s track record speaks for itself,” Evans told the club’s website, www.quins.co.uk. “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 importantly, 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.”

Richards led Leicester Tigers to four successive league titles and two Heineken Cup victories in 2000/01 and 2001/02.

As a player he won 48 England caps and represented the Lions on tours of Australia and New Zealand.