Richmond prop Dan Parkinson joined an exclusive 100 club last month and director of rugby Steve Hill has backed his man to remain at the forefront of his side’s forward effort, writes Lucy Lomax.
 

The 29-year-old made his 100th appearance for the club against Loughborough Students in December, celebrating the mark with two tries and a man of the match display.
 

The Balham insurance broker, who followed that up with another score against Tynedale a week later, is only the second prop in the club’s history to pass the milestone.
 

And Hill reckoned there remained plenty more to come from him.
 

“He is a terrific example of the type of rugby player we have at Richmond. He spends a lot of time preparing for matches and he is a real character with a good sense of humour,” he said.
 

“That game was Dan’s second start in five or six weeks, so he took the opportunity well.
 

“It is a great achievement to reach 100 appearances and at only 29 years of age he still has an awful lot more to develop.”
 

Parkinson, who is aiming to become an England Counties international, is in his seventh season at the Athletic Ground.
 

Richmond have enjoyed many highs in that time including 2012’s dramatic promotion play-off triumph over Caldy.
 

But Parkinson, pictured left, has labelled his starring role against the Students as his highlight at the club.
 

“I usually only score one or two tries a season, so to score two in a game was a real shock to me and it was great that it happened on the day of my 100th appearance,” he added.
 

“Old friends and players showed they were all thinking of me.  It’s a big deal for me personally, but it was great other people showed it meant something too.
 

“The Richmond fans have been with us through some tough times. They are always willing to jump on a bus for our away games and it means a lot.
 

“I’ve been at the club a long time, I’m in my seventh season now, and the coaching and medical staff are top quality.”
 

Richmond signed off 2013 with a 28-7 home defeat to Rosslyn Park before Christmas and start the new year with  a trip to Coventry.