Richard Beck (rugby union)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Richard Andrew Beck (born 13 June 1989 in Leeds) is a former professional rugby union player who became a coach at Wasps. He played mainly as a flanker in the back row and could also cover second row. Beck spent 13 years with Yorkshire Carnegie, making 132 appearances and scoring 14 tries (70 points). He retired in January 2019 on medical grounds and was appointed Senior Academy Development Coach at Wasps in June 2019.

Early life and education
Beck grew up in Leeds and attended North Leeds Preparatory School in Roundhay, followed by Leeds Grammar School, where he excelled in rugby, football and cricket. He studied Economics and Politics at the University of Leeds and graduated in 2011 with a 2:1.

Rugby beginnings and club career
He began playing rugby at age five for Roundhegians RFC and later played for Leodensians RUFC in Leeds. Beck joined the Leeds Carnegie Academy in 2006. He had loan spells with Harrogate RUFC (2008–09) and Otley RUFC (2009–11) before making his mark with Leeds Carnegie (later Yorkshire Carnegie).

Beck made his Leeds Carnegie debut in the 2009–2010 season in the LV= Cup against Leicester Tigers and also appeared in the Premiership Sevens Series in 2010. He first-started for the team in September 2011 in the British and Irish Cup and scored his first try a few weeks later against London Scottish. In the 2011–2012 season he made 28 appearances and scored four tries.

Injuries and later seasons
Beck faced injuries, including a shoulder issue in 2012–2013 and a knee injury in 2013–2014. The 2013–2014 season ended with defeats in the play-off semi-final and the British and Irish Cup Final for Leinster A. In 2014 the club changed its name from Leeds Carnegie to Yorkshire Carnegie.

Later career and milestones
He started the 2014–2015 season late after surgery and had a brief loan to Wharfedale RUFC. Beck returned to Yorkshire Carnegie for the 2015–2016 season, making 18 appearances. He played his 100th game for the club in December 2016 against Bedford Blues and his 100th league start in 2017–2018. He won the Colin Crampton trophy for Supporters' Player of the Year in 2018. Beck announced his retirement from professional rugby on medical grounds on 17 January 2019, having played 132 games for Yorkshire Carnegie and scored 14 tries. He represented Yorkshire and the North of England at under-18 level and played for Yorkshire in the County Championship.

Coaching career
In June 2019, Beck was appointed Senior Academy Development Coach at Wasps.