No further action against Harlequins

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Quins are still reeling from lengthy bans dished out by European Rugby Cup Limited to their former rugby director Dean Richards, ex-physiotherapist Steph Brennan and current wing Tom Williams following Williams' fake blood injury during a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster last season.

RFU disciplinary officer, Judge Jeff Blackett, has now reviewed documentation from ERC relating to allegations of occasions additional to the Leinster game and said: "It is apparent from evidence provided to the Harlequins internal review by players who described practices in other teams in which they have played, that Harlequins is not the only club which may have been guilty of inappropriate behaviour of a similar kind."

Quins were also fined £260,000, but they avoided the ultimate sanction of expulsion from this season's European club competition.

And RFU chief executive Francis Baron confirmed the setting up of a "game-wide taskforce" to review recent damaging issues in English rugby.

Baron added: "As the governing body for rugby in England, some of the evidence disclosed to ERC and Judge Blackett, alongside other high profile issues in the professional game, meant the RFU had to act.

"We will be setting up a game-wide taskforce to review all issues associated with recent events.

"The review will be wide-ranging, thorough and the recommendations in the best interests of the whole game.

"Further details on members of the taskforce and its terms of reference will be announced very shortly."