'Bloodgate': The final damning of Dean Richards

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European Rugby Cup officials published their findings into the affair today in a 99-page document. The evidence released shows Richards, who resigned his position as director of rugby in the wake of the scandal, told the committee that only he and former club physio Steph Brennan knew the blood capsules were kept at the club.

While the position of Mark Evans, the chief executive, appears more secure — with chairman Charles Jillings having already resigned — the findings make it abundantly clear Quins did all they could to hinder the investigation. In their judgement, the appeal committee said: "Mr Richards was the directing mind and had central control over everything that happened in relation to the fabrication of the blood injuryon the pitch, and the cover-up in the days after the match. The only aspect of the matter in which the appeal committee determined he did not have direct involvement was the alleged cutting of Mr Williams's lip by Dr (Wendy) Chapman.

"It was Mr Richards who had instigated and directed arrangements which enabled the fabrication of blood injuries as and when that was convenient and would assist the club during matches."

The report added: "His (Richards) was the dominant personality and influence on affairs.

"He instigated the cover-up to the extent of requiring Mr Brennan to fabricate statements and then refining the fabrications to ensure that all statements were consistent."

Mark Gay, Richards's solicitor, told the appeals committee the ban on his client would "have an incredible impact" on his career and his reputation was now "burnt to a cinder."

Brennan, banned for two years for helping fabricate injuries, said in his evidence that he asked Richards (above) to stop using the capsules but was still carrying out the practice three months later.

However, the Rugby Football Union has made it clear that four Quins players involved in other faked injury incidents orchestrated by Richards will not be punished as they gave evidence to the club under the promise of anonymity.