A graduate from Swansea University in sports science, Richie Pugh made his Ospreys debut against Ulster in September 2003. He had a strong 2006–2007 season with the region, making 18 appearances and grabbing an early season try against the Cardiff Blues in the Magners League.

Pugh was announced as a Wales Sevens squad member ahead of the 2006–2007 IRB Sevens World Series. He retained the captaincy of the side for the first two legs in Dubai and George, having successfully led the team in the IRB Sevens tournament in 2005 and Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Pugh has further representative honours including competing for the Wales Youth, U19 and U21 levels. He has one cap for Wales, gained in the 77-3 win over the United States in which he obtained a debut try. Pugh was voted Senior Sports Person of the Year in the City and County of Swansea’s Sports Awards in 2005.

In November 2007 Pugh was included in the Wales Sevens squad ahead of the 2007–2008 IRB Sevens World Series. He notched tries against Kenya and Samoa in the Pool stages during the Dubai Sevens and scored a try in the Bowl final in George, South Africa, in which Wales beat England to lift their first piece of silverware of the season.