Fresh inquiries spell trouble for Harlequins

RUGBY NEWS: AN ACT of cheating that nearly ruined Leinster's Heineken European Cup odyssey at the quarter-final stages last season took another turn over the weekend when Harlequins' highly-regarded director of rugby Dean Richards resigned on Saturday.

The ERC also confirmed they are challenging an earlier decision to exonerate three Harlequins individuals involved in the Tom Williams fake blood injury affair, with two separate, yet linked, appeal hearings due to take place over the next fortnight.

On April 12th, Leinster beat the London club 6-5 at the Twickenham Stoop to progress to a historic European semi-final against Munster at Croke Park.

There was a pivotal moment in that match when referee Nigel Owens, despite protests from the Leinster management, allowed former All Black outhalf Nick Evans return to the action, where he was marginally wide with a late drop-goal attempt.

Evans had departed earlier with a knee injury to be replaced by reserve kicker Chris Malone. When Malone also departed, injured Tom Williams came in.

However, on July 20th Williams and Harlequins were found guilty of faking a blood injury, with unseen television footage supplied by Sky Sports showing the player take something from his sock and place it in his mouth. Soon after a flow of dark red liquid came gushing from the 25-year-old’s mouth, ensuring he could be replaced by Evans.

Williams is appealing the subsequent 12-month ban, but the club accepted a €250,000 fine, half of which has been suspended for two years.

The written results of an independent hearing, chaired by Welshman Robert Jones, was received by the club and ERC last Friday, prompting Richards resignation and the Williams appeal.

ERC disciplinary officer Roger O’Connor is challenging the acquittals – due to lack of evidence – of Richards, Harlequins club doctor Wendy Chapman and physiotherapist Steph Brennan.

Dates of both the Williams and ERC appeals, which are expected to run concurrently, will be announced today. Should Williams’ defence state he did not act alone, then the club and officials can face further sanction.

O’Connor, on behalf of European rugby, is also challenging the fine, leading to suggestions that expulsion from the Heineken Cup remains a option. This would mean their place is taken by London Wasps.

A statement on the Harlequins website seems to admit guilt, but also noted that increased scrutiny makes it difficult to operate as they have in the past.

“We acknowledge that this whole episode has tarnished the image of the club which has always sought to uphold the highest standards.

“The level of scrutiny that clubs such as Harlequins now find themselves under means that procedures and processes which may have served us well in the past are no longer adequate.

“The club is urgently undertaking a thorough review of its internal policies with a view to establishing an appropriate ethics code for all staff (both playing and non playing), covering a wide range of areas, including respect for the laws of the game.”

The ERC noted in their brief statement that Williams’ appeal is against the sanction only and not the decision of the committee, while Harlequins have not lodged an appeal against either the decision or the sanction imposed on them by the committee.

At the time of the incident it became immediately apparent that something underhand may have occurred. Firstly, the colour of blood streaming from Williams mouth looked suspect and he was caught winking to somebody off camera.

Secondly, the Leinster management on the touch line was visibly incensed by the return of Evans and requested the opportunity to check the legitimacy of the blood replacement.

In the aftermath, and considering victory had been secured, Leinster opted to make no comment on the issue.