Richards came to the fore as part of a dominant Neath side in the mid-1980s but found his path to international recognition with Wales blocked by a healthy crop of second-row options. After winning a Wales 'B' cap against France in 1984 he waited two years for his first Test appearance, which came off the bench against Tonga in Nuku A'lofa following a mass brawl and injury to flanker Mark Brown. His next appearance in a Wales shirt was also against Tonga, at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. He subsequently played in the quarter-final win over England and the semi-final loss to New Zealand, but infamously became the first man to be sent-off at a World Cup when given his marching orders against the All Blacks for a swinging a punch at Gary Whetton. Richards was also flattened by a punch from Buck Shelford in the melee but shouldered the shame alone. He returned to action with Neath and enjoyed great domestic success but never played for Wales again.