Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is the latest to call on a retired player for the NRL Nines in Perth with 2005 premiership-winning hero Pat Richards expected to lace on the boots for the tournament next week.

Richards received the approval from the NRL on Friday and joins the likes of Corey Parker (Broncos), Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs) and Michael Gordon (Titans) as retired veterans set to take the field.

Richards, 37, played 115 games with the Wests Tigers over two stints at the club.

He spent a decade in the English Super League including two years under Maguire at Wigan.

Richards is currently on the club's coaching staff in a specialist position working with the outside backs.

"I had a really good conversation with him and he wanted to check on his body first," Maguire told reporters at the club's season launch on Friday morning.

"I've had some great experiences with Pat overseas in my time coaching [at Wigan]. I remember telling the players Patty was going to come back and play – there was a massive cheer.

"It just goes to show what Pat Richards means to the organisation."

How the Perth NRL Nines will work

Richards told NRL.com he thought Maguire was stirring him up when he first approached the former Ireland international.

"It's interesting… it all happened quick," Richards said.

"Never in a million years did I think I'd be back. It's an honour to wear the Wests Tigers jersey again and I'm looking forward to the experience.

"I played in 2014 and 2015 in Auckland it was awesome. The fans get into it and it's a carnival atmosphere.

"It's nice to be around the club and to jump into this is going to be great. I've done a couple of run throughs and had to pass a few medicals.

"The lungs were burning more than the hamstrings."