The 29-year-old wing-cum-centre returns to his hometown team after spending time at Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets. He has also played for Cardiff, Pontypridd and Llandovery.
He made his debut for Neath in the 2008/09 season in a 57-14 win at Tata Steel having learned his rugby at Bryncoch. He scored 11 tries in 16 appearances in his debut season, including seven in a friendly against Kidwelly.
He joined the Blues in 2010 and spent five seasons at the Arms Park before heading west to join the Scarlets last year. He scored 26 tries for Wales on the World Sevens circuit in 2011 and 2012.
“Richard will bring regional-level experience, skill and finesse to our talented back-line. He is a very sound player and, as soon as he became available, we were keen to bring home another local boy who knows what Neath is about,” said Neath head coach Gareth Llewellyn.
The Welsh All Blacks, who reached the Tier 2 final in last season’s Principality Premiership, have also recruited a number of other new players to bolster their squad for the exciting new campaign. Maesteg No.8 Scott Hicks made a big impression on permit last season, taking a leading role in the wins over Cardiff and Llanelli before picking up a knee injury, and has now signed up for a permanent move.
“Scott did well for us albeit over a brief spell last season and added something to our game. Once his recovery is complete and he gets up to full fitness, we feel we can develop his game still further and he will augment an already strong pool of back-rowers at The Gnoll,” added Llewellyn.
After making more than 100 appearances for Llandovery over the past six seasons, full back Mike Evans is making the switch to The Gnoll. He will be joined in the Neath squad next season by another former Drovers player, scrum half Scott Gibson.
Gibson helped Ystalyfera reach the Principality Stadium in the WRU National Plate tournament and was also in the Llandovery squad that retained the Heineken National Sevens title. He spent time at The Gnoll when he was a teenager.
“Mike is a proven performer in what has long been a good back division at Llandovery. When we heard he was moving to the area, we were interested in adding him to our back-line which came on leaps and bounds last year and produced some really exciting rugby,” said Llewellyn.
“Scott is a talented all-round footballer and a real competitor who should prove popular with The Gnoll fans. His father played for Seven Sisters and Scott grew up locally which fits in with our home-grown policy.”
There are seven players who have announced they will be leaving the club this summer. Full back Gareth Morris has decided to return to Skewen after an injury-ravaged time at The Gnoll where he was restricted to just 6 appearances last season due to two nasty shoulder injuries.
Aaron Grabham is moving to Bridgend after playing 38 games for Neath and finishing top try-scorer last season with 25. Teenage centre Max Llewellyn, who played the in the final nine fixtures, has earned a Blues Academy contract and will probably turn out for Cardiff.
Veteran lock Lyndon Bateman is stepping down after giving sterling service to the club, while Alun Jones has been forced to retire through injury. Also on the move are scrum half duo Rory Morgan-Williams and Josh Guy.
