David Richards (rugby union, born 1999)

Last updated

David Richards
Birth nameDavid Richards
Date of birth (1999-07-30) 30 July 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Cwmbran, Wales
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb; 14 st 9 lb)
School Monmouth School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Current team Newport
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018– Newport 45 (50)
2022–2024 Dragons 4 (10)
Correct as of 12 September 2024

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.

Contents

Club career

Early life and amateur rugby

Richards 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

Richards 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]

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References

  1. "David Richards". Dragons. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dragons boss challenges young trio to kick on after signing new deals". South Wales Argus. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  3. "Dragons add full-back Dai Richards to European squad". South Wales Argus. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  4. "European Challenge Cup: Dragons 21-26 Gloucester - Dragons finish bottom of Pool B". BBC Sport. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  5. "United Rugby Championship: Dragons 47-7 Zebre". BBC Sport. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  6. "Young Dragons speedster suffers serious injury after grasping chance on the wing". South Wales Argus. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  7. "Rapid Dragons back waiting to learn extend of damage after nightmare return". South Wales Argus. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  8. "Rapid full-back Richards signs for Newport after the end of his Dragons deal". South Wales Argus. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.