Harlequins will have to appear before an independent disciplinary committee to answer a complaint of misconduct following the Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Leinster on April 12th.

The hearing follows an investigation conducted by ERC Disciplinary Officer Roger O’Connor into the alleged blood substitution of Harlequins replacement Tom Williams.

Former All Black outhalf Nick Evans limped off the pitch, but was marked down as a tactical substitution, on 47 minutes. His replacement, Chris Malone, was then injured and replaced by Williams.

After Williams sustained a blood injury in his mouth, which bled profusely after he drank some liquid, Evans returned to the game on 75 minutes to miscue a drop goal that would have won the match.

Sky cameras showed Williams winking to a team-mate as he left the field.

Chairman of the independent disciplinary panel, Professor Lorne Crerar, will choose the committee “as soon as practicable,” according to the ERC.