Richard Thorpe (rugby union)


Richard Thorpe is a retired Canadian international rugby union player and current rugby union head coach. Born in Beckenham, England, he qualified for Canada through his mother and played 8 times for in 2014 and 2015. He played club rugby as a flanker or No. 8 for London Irish, Leicester Tigers and London Welsh in Premiership Rugby. He is the current head coach of Chinnor in National League 1.

Career

Thorpe made his debut in an EDF Energy Cup match against London Wasps. He scored a hat-trick against the Newport Gwent Dragons, Thorpe was a member of the London Irish side that made the semi finals of the Heineken Cup that season.
Thorpe was a used replacement in the final of the 2008–09 Guinness Premiership.
Thorpe was selected for Canada, as he qualifies through his mother, originally from Burlington outside Toronto, Canada. He made his international debut, as a replacement, losing to Samoa 13-23, as part of the 2014 Autumn Internationals.
Thorpe is now head coach of Chinnor R.F.C., currently in National League 2 South.