Richard Wigglesworth (rugby union)

Richard Eric Peter Wigglesworth (born 9 June 1983) is an English rugby union coach and former professional player. He is the record appearance maker for Premiership Rugby, he played for Sale Sharks, Saracens and Leicester Tigers. He has won Seven Premiership titles, one with Sale, five with Saracens, and one with Leicester as well as three European Rugby Champions Cups with Saracens. Between 2008 and 2018 he won 33 caps for. In his career he has played over 400 club games.

Born in Blackpool, England, he attended Kirkham Grammar School. Wigglesworth's primary position was scrum-half, and he also operated as a fly-half or as a wing in his early career.

Club career
Wigglesworth started his professional career with Sale Sharks coming through the youth ranks, and starting the 2005–06 Premiership final. In June 2010, Wigglesworth moved to Saracens. During his time at Saracens he won five further Premiership titles in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, with Wigglesworth featuring in all five finals. He also helped Saracens win the European Champions Cup in 2016, 2017 and 2019. He left Saracens at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season.

On 6 November 2020 Wigglesworth joined Leicester Tigers for the 2020-21 Premiership Rugby season. Wigglesworth was the first player to appear in 300 Premiership matches on 5 June 2021 when he came on as a replacement in the second half of the match against Bristol. He started the 2022 Premiership Rugby final as Tigers beat his former club Saracens 15-12, with Wigglesworth winning his seventh title.

Coaching career
In the early 2000s, while being a professional player, Wigglesworth was part of the coaching team at amateur club Ormskirk RUFC, sharing his tactical knowledge and his experiences with the youth teams.

Wigglesworth served as the defence and kicking coach of Canada at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Wigglesworth joined the coaching team at Ealing Trailfinders in 2019 as Attack Coach, combining this part time role with his playing commitments at Saracens. Following his move to Leicester Tigers in November 2020 he joined the coaching team ahead of the 2021–22 season, taking up the Attack Coach role in addition to remaining as an active and key player in the Premiership winning squad.

With the release of both Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield from Leicester he was promoted to Interim Head Coach and immediately retired as a player. Wigglesworth lead Leicester in 16 games. On 7 February 2023 confirmed that Wigglesworth would join the national side as attack coach at the end of the season.

International career
Wigglesworth was called up to the England squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship. He was selected for the England Saxons and the training squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Wigglesworth was named in the starting line-up for England in the 2008 RBS Six Nations Championship match against France in Paris. Sale coach Philippe Saint-Andre said he is confident that England newcomer Wigglesworth has the mentality required for international rugby. On 23 February 2008, he scored a 79th minute try to help England to a 24–13 win in Paris.

Sale Sharks

 * Premiership Rugby: 2005-06
 * European Challenge Cup: 2004–05

Saracens

 * Premiership Rugby: 2010–11, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
 * European Rugby Champions Cup: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19
 * Anglo-Welsh Cup: 2014–15

Leicester Tigers

 * Premiership Rugby: 2021–22

England

 * Calcutta Cup: 2015
 * Millennium Trophy: 2008

Personal life
Wigglesworth married Lindsay Jane Fitzgerald in July 2009 and they now have two daughters, Matilda and Margot and a son, Freddie. Lindsay is a qualified dentist and graduated from Liverpool University's BDS course in 2007.