League: Richards keen to mentor next crop of Tiger talent

Pat Richards kicks off for Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

When Pat Richards left Australia for England in 2005, Benji Marshall was the young superstar at the Wests Tigers - and Luke Brooks was still in primary school.

Eight years on and Richards, who's conquered all there is to do in English Super League, can't wait to rejoin his old club next year because of the talent he sees emerging.

Richards was famously on the receiving end of that freakish Marshall flick pass in the 2005 decider that led to one of the most celebrated tries in grand final history.

But he says the future has him excited about returning home and helping the Tigers get back to where they were when he left.

"A lot of people are very excited about what these kids can do and I'm really looking forward to getting back."

Richards will run out for Ireland on the weekend in their World Cup clash against Australia in Limerick with a personal cheer squad of about 40 family members in the crowd.

"My parents are both Irish.

"They moved to Australia when they were 20 ... and I have a lot of family coming over from Dublin to watch the game."

While Ireland probably won't pose much of a challenge to the tournament favourites, plenty of focus will be on Richards to see where his game is after a successful stint at Wigan.

He's won two Super League crowns and two Challenge Cups, and taken out the competition's most prestigious individual honour, the Man of Steel in 2010, but he says the most rewarding experience was the lifestyle his family enjoyed.