British and Irish Lions

The former Harlequins boss was suspended from all forms of participation in the sport following the Bloodgate affair back in 2009.

Richards used a fake blood capsule to ensure wing Tom Williams could be replaced by Nick Evans during the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual winners Leinster at the Stoop 32 months ago.

The ex-England No8, who toured twice with the Lions in 1989 and 1993, resigned from his post with Quins in August 2009 having taken over at the club four years earlier.

"I want to get back into the game," Richards told the Sun.

"I have another eight months of the ban to serve but when that's done I'll be straight back.

"It's been a bit of a blip in my career but we all make mistakes. What's important is to learn from them."

"I still have ambitions to win more major trophies."

Richards coached Leicester to back-to-back Heineken Cup crowns in 2001 and 2002, as well as four successive English Premiership titles.

He left Welford Road in 2004 after 23 years as a player and coach with the Tigers, initially joining French side Grenoble before guiding Harlequins back to English Rugby's top-flight following their relegation from the Premiership.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

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