Dean RICHARDS

Dean Richards, or 'Deano' as crowds would call him, was easy to spot on the field. He always played with his socks rolled down. This slightly chaotic appearance could not have been more deceptive. The Leicester policeman had immense strength - his trade mark was the bear-hug tackle in which he could turn an opponent thus presenting the ball to his pack. Having played for England Schools and the Under 23s, he made his full England debut against Ireland, scoring two tries in a revitalised pack. Playing once against Scotland in the 1987 Five Nations tournament, he was selected to play in the first Rugby World Cup Down Under. He played in four games but this was ultimately a disappointing tournament for the team, which was beaten in a dour quarter-final against the old enemy Wales. Now a regular in the team, his powerful drives and the ability to be in the right place at the right time earnt him a formidable reputation on the international scene.

However, it was on the Lions tour of Australia in 1989 that he fully demonstrated his skills. Having lost the First Test in a lacklustre performance, the tourists had to bounce back in the Ballymore Test. In a game that was later to be called, 'The Battle of Ballymore', Richards was at the heart of the victory. One of three policemen in the pack, he was part of a world-class back-row, including Mike Teague and skipper Finlay Calder. Taking the Wallabies on up front in a very physical confrontation the pack provided the platform for the Lions' backs to win the game and the series. Typically, when interviewed after the game, Richards suggested he had played in tougher club games. Disappointment would follow on his return with a shoulder injury keeping him out of the 1990 season. (John Lovell)

Dean Richard's return to international rugby in 1991 was nothing short of triumphant - he played in all four matches of the Five Nations campaign and was a pivotal figure in England's long overdue triumph. There was disappointment in the World Cup though when England's tactical confusion led to him being dropped in favour of Mick Skinner for the quarter-final against Scotland and he would play no further part in the tournament. He also missed the first two games of the 1992 Five Nations but came back for the France and Wales matches as England won a second consecutive Grand Slam. However, the following year injuries and non selection kept him out of the side altogether and it showed in the lacklustre performance of the England pack. The British Lions management on the other hand decided that Dean was the kind of gritty character to match the New Zealand forwards on their own territory and he played in all three tests. Unfortunately, despite Dean's immense displays, the series was lost 2-1 and he was penalised for an innocuous offence in the first match, which handed the game to the All Blacks.

The chance for revenge came quickly when New Zealand toured the UK later in the year. Dean, playing in tandem with Ben Clarke and Tim Rodber, orchestrated a total destruction of the visiting pack and inspired England to a deserved 15-9 win. Less than a year later Richards was again the fulcrum of a famous victory when England thrashed South Africa 32-15 in Pretoria. In the 1995 World Cup England took the prized scalp of Australia at the same ground, but were bundled out of the competition by Jonah Lomu and company in Cape Town. The 1996 season saw Dean play his last test in a win against Ireland, which helped England to the Championship. He retired at the end of the season having won 48 caps, scoring 6 tries. He went on to coach his beloved Leicester and guided them to several triumphs in the late 1990s and early 2000s. (John Lovell)