Dean Richards’s tough love will revive Newcastle Falcons says Simon Keogh

Newcastle players had better get ready to roll up their sleeves on the field – and in training – under Dean Richards, according to members of the Quins squad he won promotion with in 2005.
Just as seven years ago, Richards will take the reins in the second tier and Newcastle fans will be hoping he can repeat the turnaround he put in place with Harlequins.
Not only did Quins win the old National One at a canter but within two years they had qualified for the Heineken Cup and the foundations Richards put in place were those that enabled Conor O’Shea to lift the Premiership title last season.
Those looking for a magic formula may be disappointed – Irish winger Simon Keogh recalls some old-fashioned tough love will be the first thing Falcons players will experience.
“Dean introduced a different culture at Quins and I am sure he will introduce that at Newcastle as well,” said Keogh who played at the Stoop between 2003 and 2008.
“The season we went down was the worst season I have ever experienced – it was a really low place.
“But the season we went up was the most fun I have had on a rugby pitch. His philosophy is very much  old school, one of the things he made us do was always buy our opposite number a pint after the game no matter what.
“But on the pitch he introduced this Leicester mentality that we would not get bullied by anyone.
“He would readily encourage fighting in training – Paul Volley and Will Skinner used to tear strips off each other and whenever they did you would see Dean have a little sly smile to himself.
“More importantly he made sure the club wasn’t seen as a place just to come and pick up your pay cheque each week. The club became more important than just your employer.”
Several members of the squad that went up with Quins would be crowned Premiership winners six years later including Ugo Monye, Tom Williams and Nick Easter.
Easter is convinced the Falcons could not have recruited a better director of rugby to ensure they bounce back at the first time of asking.
And he believes relegation could prove to be a blessing in disguise as it was for Quins and Northampton who used their year out of the top flight to readdress the foundations of their club.
“Newcastle have got the right man there. Deano took over Quins when we were in exactly the same position,” he said.
“We went straight back up and within two years we were playing in the Heineken Cup, After three years we were in the quarter-finals and the semi-final of the Premiership  – so they have got the right guy.
“We won’t be facing them this year, which is probably a good thing and will allow Deano to rebuild.
“I’m all for promotion and relegation in the Premiership otherwise certain games towards the end of the season would just be dead-rubbers.
“Newcastle unfortunately finished 12th, the players and coaches didn’t do their jobs well enough to stay up.
“In sport you have that understanding that if you win the league below you should be promoted.”
DANIEL SCHOFIELD