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27 March 2022 / Club News

LIAM RICHARDS PLAYER PROFILE

LIAM RICHARDS PROGRAMME PROFILE

Staying with the Front Row theme Liam Richards is this week’s Profile subject. Liam came to the Club originally in 2015/16 and has proved to be one of our most Durable, Consistent and Versatile players. He has played nearly 70 games for the Club and in this most difficult of COVID affected seasons he tops the appearance list with 13 games and has snatched 2 Tries (both from about 40 yards !)  His bustling all action style in the loose has made him a Supporter favourite and his contribution to the success of the Team over the last six years or so has been outstanding. Allied to his bustle is the fact that he must be a Coach’s dream in that he can more than comfortably fit in across the whole of the Front Row and is more than happy to do so for the Team. His commitment to the cause is evident in what for a fully paid up member of the Front Row Club (No disrespect intended) is a most incisive and thought provoking interview.

 

HOW DID YOU GET IN TO RUGBY AND WHO WERE YOUR EARLY INFLUENCERS AND RESPECTED PLAYERS?

I started rugby at age 6 my grandfather played for Neath & Swansea so was always an influence on me. At a later stage the people that probably stand out for me in terms of keeping me involved in the game are Malcolm Anthony, Darren Poland and Dean Davies of Penlan

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING FOR BIRCHGROVE AND WHY ?

I played my first game for Birchgrove back in 2016 so 6 years ago now. Darren Poland was coaching Birchgrove at the time, so I came over from Penlan and when RJ came over in a coaching role it was natural for me to stay.

YOU HAVE PLAYED FOR A FEW LOCAL SIDES. HOW DOES THE BIRCHGROVE EXPERIENCE COMPARE TO OTHER SIDES ?

I started with Morriston RFC moved to Bonymaen back to Morriston for youth then off to Penlan for senior rugby. All clubs were brilliant, and I still have close mates from each of these clubs. Birchgrove is certainly my home club now where my closest mates are inside and outside of rugby, Birchgrove is different from other clubs as it’s a younger club in terms of when it was founded and people who created the club are still there to this day there’s a sense of belonging for me at Birchgrove.

YOU MANAGE TO SLOT IN SUCCESSFULLY ACROSS ALL THE FRONT ROW POSITIONS. A DIFFICULT SKILL. WHAT’S THE SECRET?

I wouldn’t say successfully! I just play wherever I’m told and ultimately as long as I’m on the pitch playing, I don’t mind what position I play 1, 2, 3 and even 6 more recently. I always apply the same mindset every time I play and try my best for the boys and that’s all you can do.

WHICH POSITION DO YOU PREFER AND WHY?

Probably prop I tend to play better in the open as I can just focus on my carrying and tackling rather than over complicating things at the lineout.

WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU LIKE PLAYING AGAINST MOST AND WHY?

Probably Glyneath which people may have not expected me to say. A hard game and very physical on and off the ball it’s one of them games I like to see in the calendar its one you have to be up for!

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PERSONAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS TO DATE?

Wining division 2 & 3 with Birchgrove & playing Penallta in the semis of the cup for Penlan a huge day for the club and players involved.

WHAT ARE YOUR MAJOR RUGBY AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE?

Winning Division 1 with Birchgrove which isn’t an ambitious task, we have had up to 10 players side-lined this year with injuries and haven’t lost by a huge margin of points once, which shows the character we have and the strength of the core within the team we will be battling at the top of the league next year without a doubt.

IN THE WIDER GAME:-

WALES HAVE GONE FROM SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONS TO 4/5TH WHAT WENT WRONG IN YOUR OPINION?

I think Wales are in a transitioning period from the famous Gatland era, we have struggled with strength in depth in the squad even more so in the centre. Pivac has been experimenting with some different combinations in readiness for the world cup I don’t think its all doom and gloom as we saw glimpses of what’s to come against France last Friday.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE CURRENT WELSH TEAM PLAYERS AND WHY?

Has to be Ross Moriarty such a world class player abrasive and old school. Also, Adam Beard a Birchgrove boy through and through.

DO YOU THINK THE COMMUNITY GAME IN WALES COULD BE IMPROVED AND HOW?

It’s been hard with Covid and there are so many things we could talk about. But for me it’s encouraging participation at a younger age to ensure youth systems are coming through to ensure senior teams have depth in squads

 

 

 

QUICK FIRE ROUND

 

NAME -Liam Richards
NICKNAME-Baps
AGE-27
OCCUPATION- Project Manager
CLUBS- Morriston Bonymaen Penlan Birchgrove
POSITION-hooker/prop
THIS SEASON GOALS- finish top half of the table
WORST MOMENT IN RUGBY-  losing to Penallta for Penlan in the semis because rob green got sent Off after 2 minutes
FAVE DRINK- Peroni
BEST DRESSED IN TEAM-Chubbsy
WORST DRESSED IN TEAM- Josh Key
BEST DRINKER- Gally
WORST DRINKER- Leigh duls
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT IN RUGBY- red card against Porthcawl boys will explain more
FAVE TOUR DESTINATION-Butlins
FAVE SONG- Put a Donk on it by  Blackout Crew
FAVE MOVIE- American sniper

 

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