Rivalries
Richmond contested the first ever rugby match with Blackheath F.C., and though the clubs are not in the same league, they play an annual pre-season friendly to uphold the tradition.
Richmond share the Athletic Ground with London Scottish, and this rivalry is very intense. Both sides experienced a high point at the beginning of the professional era and played in the Premiership. Both teams also fell into administration and dropped down to a level well below the national leagues, and though the routes taken have been slightly different, both clubs have battled their way up the leagues, until the upcoming season played in the same division - National 3 South. In years when the clubs are in the same division, the two "home" and "away" matches are two of the most well-attended and hotly contested of the year.
Richmond also have a local rivalry with Barnes who they have recently frequently played as both sides sought to move into the national leagues.
At youth level, Richmond's strongest rivalry tends to be with nearby Rosslyn Park. A Richmond vs Rosslyn Park game is always surrounded by controversy of some sort.
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