Podcast: Pat Richards reflects on career, representing Ireland and life after league

Josh McAllister 28 Sep 2022 7:35 PM

NRL and Super League winner and former Ireland international Pat Richards is this week’s guest on the Love Rugby League podcast.

The former Parramatta, Wests Tigers, Wigan and Catalans winger joins host George Riley to reflect on his career and discuss life after league.

Richards, 40, discusses Wigan’s culture and the ‘best’ eight years of his life in the Super League competition. The Australian-born player looks ahead to the World Cup and reflects on representing his heritage with Ireland on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Love Rugby League editor James Gordon, deputy editor Drew Darbyshire and reporter Josh McAllister join the show to discuss all the latest, including IMG’s latest proposals for the sport. The four were present as the global organisation spoke to press on Wednesday afternoon from Manchester Hall.

More on Pat Richards

Born in Liverpool, New South Wales, Richards made his NRL debut with Parramatta Eels in 2000 before making the switch to the Wests Tigers ahead of the 2004 NRL season.

He enjoyed a successful 2005 season with the side, featuring in the NRL Grand Final victory over North Queensland Cowboys. Richards’ try from a Benji Marshall flick pass was a highlight of the win and a memorable moment in the sport.

The winger made the switch to Super League with Wigan ahead of the 2006 season, enjoying success with the Warriors. He was named Man of Steel in 2010. He is the fifth-highest points scorer in Super League with 2,280 points.

Richards returned to the NRL with Wests Tigers between 2014-2015. He then moved to France with Catalans, where he retired in 2016.