David Richards (born 30 July 1999)[1] is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Newport RFC, and previously the Dragons.
| Birth name | David Richards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 30 July 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cwmbran, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 93 kg (205 lb; 14 st 9 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Monmouth School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editEarly life and amateur rugby
editRichards attended Monmouth School, and came through the Dragons academy.[2] Richards played for Newport RFC, and was named Player of the Match in their 2022 Premiership Cup win.[2]
Dragons
editRichards was named in the Dragons first team for the 2021–22 season, as was added to their European squad in January 2022.[3] He made his debut for the Dragons in Round 5 of the 2021–22 EPCR Challenge Cup against Gloucester.[4]
He made his first start against Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on 29 October 2022. During the match, Richards scored two tries and was subsequently named Player of the Match.[5] Richards started the following match against the Lions, but suffered a hamstring injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.[6]
Ahead of the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship season, Richards signed a contract extension with the Dragons.[2]
During the off-season, Richards was sidelined with a back injury, and he sustained a recurrence of the hamstring injury on his return match for Newport RFC.[7]
Richards was released by the Dragons, and joined Newport on a full contract ahead of the 2024–25 season.[8]
References
edit- ^ "David Richards". Dragons. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ a b c "Dragons boss challenges young trio to kick on after signing new deals". South Wales Argus. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Dragons add full-back Dai Richards to European squad". South Wales Argus. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "European Challenge Cup: Dragons 21-26 Gloucester - Dragons finish bottom of Pool B". BBC Sport. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "United Rugby Championship: Dragons 47-7 Zebre". BBC Sport. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Young Dragons speedster suffers serious injury after grasping chance on the wing". South Wales Argus. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Rapid Dragons back waiting to learn extend of damage after nightmare return". South Wales Argus. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Rapid full-back Richards signs for Newport after the end of his Dragons deal". South Wales Argus. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.