Former England prop assaults bailiffs after claiming he’s a “freeman of the land”

Saturday, 18 October 2025 at 14:12

byRugby Rucker

Former rugby union prop Richard Skuse has been found guilty of assaulting two bailiffs who came to repossess his home — after claiming he was a “freeman of the land” and not bound by UK law.

The ex-London Irish and Saracens front-rower, 45, attacked Nicholas Rhode and his son Matthew as they attempted to change the locks at his property in January.

Court hearing details

The court heard that Skuse punched Matthew in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose, before turning on Nicholas and breaking his glasses into four pieces.

Matthew told magistrates:

“He had closed fists and my first thought was, this is going to hurt.”

He said Skuse hit him three times before he managed to restrain the former professional player on the ground.

Skuse’s defence

Skuse insisted that he had been assaulted and even claimed he’d had a tooth knocked out — “albeit a false one.”

He arrived at Bristol Magistrates’ Court draped in a flag and wearing a paper crown, but was ordered to remove them before proceedings began.

Holding a Bible, Skuse told the court:

“It is a private residence. They have got no authority to be there.”

He denied owing any money to Nationwide, saying:

“My signature created that money.
I am the creditor, not the debtor.
Possession is nine-tenths of the law.”

Verdict

Skuse denied two counts of assault, claiming self-defence, but was found guilty after trial.
He has been bailed for sentencing at a later date.

“$36 billion” – Richest Rugby Owners (Ranked 5-1)

Rugby has long been a sport of grit, tradition, and community. But behind the scrums and lineouts, there’s an increasingly influential class shaping the modern game — the richest rugby owners whose business empires bankroll the sport’s professional era.

From industrial magnates to energy drink giants, these are the wealthiest figures driving rugby’s future.

Simon Orange

Nationality: English
Net Worth: £1.25 billion
Rugby CV: Co-owner, Sale Sharks

For Simon Orange, rugby is as much a local passion as it is a family affair. The Sale Sharks co-owner recently saw his wealth surge after selling a majority stake in his investment firm, Corpacq, in a deal valued at over £1 billion. The buyer, private equity giant TDR Capital, acquired the business Orange founded and chaired back in 2006.

Headquartered in Altrincham, Corpacq invests in small and medium-sized U.K. enterprises, particularly in the industrial and services sectors. The firm’s portfolio now includes 43 companies, generating £697 million in revenue and £119 million of adjusted EBITDA in 2023.

Despite his business triumphs, Orange’s profile extends beyond finance. Since acquiring Sale Sharks in 2016, he’s helped stabilise the Premiership club alongside wife Michelle — and often finds his name in headlines alongside his famous brother, former Take That singer Jason Orange.

Mohed Altrad

Nationality: Syrian/French
Net Worth: €3.6 billion
Rugby CV: Majority Shareholder, Montpellier Hérault Rugby

Few stories in sport rival that of Mohed Altrad. Born in Syria and migrating to France in 1969, he arrived without speaking the language and survived on a single meal a day. Decades later, he leads the Altrad Group, a global construction powerhouse producing scaffolding and cement mixers, with revenues of $2.4 billion and more than 21,000 employees.

Altrad’s journey from hardship to billionaire status mirrors the resilience he sees in rugby. As majority shareholder of Montpellier Hérault Rugby, he describes his investment as a reflection of the same principles that built his company: passion, dedication, teamwork, and respect. “Rugby,” he says, “truly embodies these values.” Under his ownership, Montpellier has enjoyed unprecedented success in French rugby’s top flight.

Hans-Peter Wild

Nationality: German
Net Worth: €3.7 billion
Rugby CV: Owner, Stade Français

For Hans-Peter Wild, rugby represents both a passion project and a platform for national ambition. The German billionaire, son of Wild company founder Rudolf Wild, co-created the Capri Sun brand in 1970 — a drink that became a global household name and the cornerstone of his fortune.

His enthusiasm for rugby began in Germany, where he founded the Wild Rugby Academy to nurture domestic talent and build an internationally competitive team. But his biggest splash came in France, where he took control of Stade Français, one of Europe’s most storied clubs. With his resources and determination, Wild aims to restore the Parisian team’s glory days and prove that financial backing and cultural respect can coexist in the modern rugby landscape.

Jacky Lorenzetti

Nationality: Swiss
Net Worth: €4 billion
Rugby CV: Majority Owner, Racing 92

Not every rugby tycoon was born with a love for the game. Swiss-born businessman Jacky Lorenzetti only discovered rugby after moving to France and marrying into a family of passionate supporters. A graduate of Lausanne’s hotel school, Lorenzetti made his fortune by founding Foncia, Europe’s largest real estate company.

That fortune eventually found its way to Racing 92, a then-second-tier French club he acquired a 62% stake in. Under Lorenzetti’s stewardship, Racing has become one of Europe’s most formidable teams, boasting state-of-the-art facilities and an enviable roster of international stars.

His investments have not only transformed the club but also helped shape the broader financial landscape of French rugby — even if not every marquee signing has delivered on expectation.

Chalerm Yoovidhya

Nationality: Thai
Net Worth: $36 billion (company value)
Rugby CV: Owners, Newcastle Red Bulls (formerly Newcastle Falcons)

Towering above the rest in financial might is Red Bull, whose empire straddles energy drinks, Formula 1, and now rugby. The Austrian company — half-owned by Chalerm Yoovidhya and family (estimated net worth $36 billion) and the other half by Mark Mateschitz ($39.6 billion) — made headlines this year when it acquired Premiership side Newcastle Falcons, rebranding them as the Newcastle Red Bulls.

Red Bull’s arrival at Kingston Park has injected new hope among fans, many of whom dream of rekindling the club’s glory days. Known for its aggressive sports marketing and high-performance ethos, the company’s foray into rugby could reshape how professional clubs operate, merging global branding power with grassroots identity.