20 Questions: Peter Richards – London Scottish backs coach

Enjoying the coaching gig at Scottish?
Loving it. It’s a brand new set of fixtures, a different challenge against different teams and there’s some real high pressure games.
Decent season so far?
Yes, happy with it. To be third at Christmas, just below the giants Bristol and Worcester, means we’re the best of the rest and we’ve had some tremendous performances.
Tough having Bristol and Worcester around?
Makes it a challenge. They’re quality teams but it’s great for our guys, who are aspiring to play in the Premiership, to test themselves against them.
Opinion of the Championship?
Different style of rugby to the Premiership – the word attritional has been used – but you can run the ball and there are lots of high scoring games too.
Where did you start in rugby?
Havant was my first club, but Farnham was my main learning ground for seven or eight years from the age of 11 before I joined London Irish.
Brought up with Jonny Wilkinson then?
Yes. His brother, Mark, was in my age group while Jonny was the year below, but their dad was my age group coach so we all mucked in together.
Boyhood rugby idols?
Joost van der Westhuizen was top of my list and as a running scrum-half he was the world’s best. I’d put George Gregan right up there as well.
Were you always a scrum-half?
No, I started in the centre before moving in to fly-half and then scrum-half. Being a bit bossy I just loved being at the centre of everything.
Did you envisage a pro rugby career?
Never. I was lucky that rugby turned pro a week after I took my last A-level and the chairman of Farnham contacted London Irish. It just went from there.
Who was your first head coach at Irish?
Clive Woodward! It was Clive and Howard Amor, Simon’s dad, who was our backs coach. Howard picked me up at Surbiton station each day for training.
Remember your first team debut?
I was playing against Andy Gomarsall, 18-years-old, live on Sky and managed to score a try and get man-of-the-match against Wasps. Wonderful moment.
Other career highlights?
Club-wise, winning the double with Wasps in 2004 and the Challenge Cup with Gloucester in 2006. Internationally, winning the HK Sevens in 2004, being capped by England in 2006 and playing in the 2007 World Cup.
Still pinch yourself at playing in a WC final?
On the openside flank, I recall! Joe Worsley went on as sub but tore his hamstring, so I was the next cab off the rank. That run to the final when we beat Australia and France was magical.
Any WC advice for the current England side?
Enjoying it is probably the key. Expectation weighed heavily on our shoulders in 2007 and had a negative effect, so they can’t allow that pressure to get to them.
How do you chill-out?
I’ve got two kids aged six and three so life away from rugby is purely about being a dad. I enjoy a round of golf when I can but rarely get the time.
Pet hates and annoyances?
What frustrates me professionally is players who don’t see opportunities in front of them. It’s a short career and it winds me up when people waste them.
Biggest pain in the backside at Scottish?
Miles Mantella. He’s like my daughter, always has an answer for everything! He’s a top boy – dynamite – but he can be a bit painful at times.
Three players you’d love to coach?
Willie Le Roux because his skills are ridiculous; Kieran Read for his reading of the game; and Aaron Smith because I envy his incredible skill-set.
Best guys you ever played with?
Best captain was Lawrence Dallaglio at Wasps, who would have you in tears for big games; Sailosi Tagicakibau was phenomenal at London Irish; and at Gloucester I’d go for Andy Hazell and James Forrester. Hazey was our minder, James was just a freak.
Coaching ambitions?
Firstly, to help get Scottish into the play-offs. Past that, who knows? I’d just like to reach the highest level I can, whatever that may be.