Former England international and British & Irish Lions tourist Dean Richards has been appointed Director of Rugby at Wymondham Rugby Club, with the ambitious Norfolk outfit moving to bolster its long-term plans both on and off the pitch.
The Red & Black, whose first team currently compete in Regional 2 Anglia, have enjoyed significant growth in recent years and see Richards’ arrival as a major statement of intent as they look to establish themselves as one of the leading grassroots clubs in East Anglia.
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Richards brings a wealth of experience to the role, having enjoyed a decorated playing career that included 48 caps for England, Lions representation, and a successful spell with Leicester Tigers. After hanging up his boots, he moved into senior coaching and leadership, taking charge of Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons, while also holding coaching positions at Leicester and Grenoble.
Wymondham’s rapid expansion has seen its Minis, Youth, Women’s and Men’s sections flourish, with the club now supporting a community of more than 2,000 members. That progress attracted strong interest in the newly created Director of Rugby position, with Richards now tasked with shaping rugby strategy and coaching development across the entire organisation.
The club has also become known for producing home-grown talent, including Tommy Freeman, who began his rugby journey at Wymondham before progressing to England and the British & Irish Lions.
Speaking on his appointment, Dean Richards said:
“I’ve always believed that strong community clubs are built from the bottom up — giving clarity, support, and a real sense of belonging. That’s what really struck a chord with me at Wymondham. There’s a genuine passion for the game here across every age group, and it’s an aspirational grassroots club with great potential. I’m excited to play my part in the next chapter of the club’s journey.”
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