Richards was a surprise selection as England hooker for the 1965 Five Nations. This came only a few months after he had taken the hooker position for his club Richmond, having been an understudy to Pat Orr. He subsequently took Orr's place in the Middlesex county side and won his England call up following his performances in three trials matches. After featuring in all of England Five Nations fixtures, Richards lost his position to John Pullin.[2]
In 1967, Richards resumed his England career, playing a match against the Wallabies at Twickenham, followed by the Five Nations and a tour of Canada. Pullin was then able to cement himself as the team's regular hooker and Richards didn't get any further opportunities, finishing with nine caps.[3]