Pete issues position plea

Sep 3 2008 By Julian Easterbrook, Staines News

PETER RICHARDS has pleaded with new London Irish boss Toby Booth to throw him in at scrum-half to push forward his case for an England slot.

A scrum-half by trade, Richards' ability to play other positions has seen him used sparingly and as a utility player by England.

But he reckons a good start for Irish, and a return to his favourite position, could see him nail down a spot in Martin Johnson's First XV.

Richards said: "Coming up to the end of the season we had injury problems and I was thrown in at the deep end to play at centre.

"Because of that, and because of my versatility, I was covering all manner of positions for England in New Zealand.

"During the World Cup last year, the six times I got on, I think only three of them were at scrum half - while one was centre, one was wing and one was open-side flanker.

"It's slightly frustrating, but I hadn't played scrum half since January, and to go to New Zealand and play there would have been totally unrealistic.

"It was a means to an end, and just to be involved was very good. But being selected as a scrum-half for England's Elite squad was of huge importance, and that's the position that I'll be concentrating on.

"Hopefully at London Irish I can get some game time at scrum half to try and put my case forward."

However, Richards accepts he will have stiff competition for the scrum-half jersey at Irish, with both Paul Hodgson and Warren Fury vying for there spot too.But he reckons the new pressures the new Experimental Law Variations will put on the position could play in his favour.

Richards said: "I think that we are in a lucky position at London Irish, where we may be thin on the ground in some positions, but have riches at talent at scrum-half.

"But I'm sure that there will be some rotation. With the new laws and the way that the game is being played, especially the way that London Irish play, it's quite an aerobic work out for scrum halves.

"We got into a situation last year where Paul (Hodgson) and I would be fit playing 40-55 minutes, and then someone else would come on and have a real impact rather than having a token 10 minutes at the end.

"It takes the pressure off the starting scrum half, knowing he might only pick up the tempo for 50 minutes and not have to last the whole 80.

"This season we'll be learning a bit more about the new rules and the open game the ball's in play longer, and for scrum halves that means more running in defence and attack.

"It's a tiring position as it is, even more so with the new rules, and I think the bench is going to be utilised a lot earlier than in the past because there's going to be some weary legs on the pitch."

Irish begin their Premiership hgcampaign against Wasps at Twickenham on Saturday (2.30pm).

And with no Heineken Cup to look forward to this year, Richards believes a strong league start is key if he and teammates Shane Geraghty and Nick Kennedy are going to be in the frame for England selection in the Autumn's internationals.

He added: "It's important for me and the other London Irish players that we start strongly to put our case forward because in those couple of weeks before selection, we are playing in lesser games that won't even be watched by the selectors."