A RUGBY coach who was given a ban amid the Bloodgate cheating scandal will be a guest speaker at a school with a proud history of producing the game’s best players.

Dean Richards will speak at Barnard Castle School, in County Durham, on Saturday night as part of a sportsman’s dinner arranged to raise money for the rugby and hockey teams tour of South Africa.

Mr Richards was suspended from coaching in the game for three years last August.

Last April, while director of rugby at Harlequins, Richards instructed full-back Tom Williams to feign injury in a Heineken Cup quarterfinal against Leinster.

Williams left the field with fake blood pouring out of his mouth to allow Nick Evans to return to the field.

Evans had left injured in the 47th minute of game before his replacement Chris Malone, also went off injured later in the second half.

As the game neared its conclusion, Williams put a fake blood capsule in his mouth.

Because match officials believed it to be a blood injury, Williams was allowed to go off to be replaced by specialist kicker Evans.

Evans missed a drop goal as Leinster held out to win the game 5-6. The Irish club went on to win the Heineken Cup.

Barnard Castle School has a glittering list of rugby alumni, including former Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew, current England stars Mathew and Alex Tait, and Rory and Tony Underwood.

The school also has several players in international youth teams and has reached the Twickenham final of the Daily Mail Cup three times – losing on each occasion.

Barnard Castle School declined to comment on Mr Richards’ appearance.