England great Dean Richards has returned to his old career by volunteering with the police during the coronavirus pandemic.
Now Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby, former England No 8 Richards was a police officer during his early playing days at Leicester before rugby union turned professional.
He’s ‘scrum’ guy! 🏈@NewcastleFalcon's man and former officer Dean Richards recently volunteered his time to help.
— Northumbria Police #StayHomeSaveLives (@northumbriapol) April 9, 2020
Any former officers, volunteers and police staff who would like to express an interest in potentially returning can do so by visiting 👉 https://t.co/yuQ4CjTXnB pic.twitter.com/BvYxz62zQf
The 56-year-old will help prepare hundreds of pieces of personal protective equipment for use by frontline officers in an effort to keep them safe as they go about their duties amid a nationwide lockdown caused by Covid-19.
“I know that at times like this people need to work together and help in any way they can,” said Richards on Thursday.
“Thanks to Northumbria Police for letting me help in a small way, it was my privilege.”
6 Rugby players who worked as policemen
See which international Rugby stars came from a police background.
1. Dean Richards
Richards was schooled at John Cleveland College, in Hinckley, and was a police constable for Leicestershire Constabulary between the 1980s and 1990s before English rugby union became professional. He had a long playing career with Leicester Tigers, and played 48 times for England and six times for the British & Irish Lions. The 55-year-old is now the boss of Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.
