Richards raring to go after ban

Newcastle’s next director of rugby Dean Richards is itching to put the frustration of his three-year “Bloodgate” ban behind him.

Richards will take over at Kingston Park from South African Gary Gold when his suspension expires on 19 August.

The 48-year-old guided Leicester to four Premiership titles and two Heineken Cup crowns before taking Harlequins from the Championship into the last eight in Europe before the “Bloodgate” scandal erupted in 2009. Quins winger Tom Williams used a fake blood capsule to feign injury in their 6-5 Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster.

Richards revealed he had received a number of offers from Aviva Premiership but was convinced by the ambition of Falcons owner Semore Kurdi.

Richards said: “Because the job is basically 24/7, you tend to neglect your family growing up. It is only in the past three years that I have spent the amount of time I have wanted to with my wife and kids, and just watching the children playing rugby has been fantastic.

“In the last 12 months I have grown more and more frustrated. I watch the games every week and, like any coach, I am thinking: ‘Why are they doing that?’

“I am raring to go, and I just can’t wait.”

Richards has committed to Newcastle, even if the club are relegated from the Premiership.

The Falcons are currently eight points adrift of Wasps at the bottom of the Premiership.

“I am delighted to get the opportunity to join Newcastle Falcons,” Richards added.

“Whilst there was interest from other clubs, there are two reasons why I chose the Falcons – the supporters and Semore Kurdi’s ambition for the club.”