Harlequins' place in this season's Heineken Cup is in jeopardy as the saga surrounding Tom Williams' fabricated injury threatens to take another twist.

Wing Tom Williams, 25, opted to appeal the 12-month suspension imposed by the European Rugby Cup (ERC) for faking a blood injury during last season's quarter-final defeat to champions Leinster.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards resigned on Saturday in the wake of Williams' decision to appeal, leaving the Guinness Premiership club searching for a replacement ahead of their opening fixture against London Wasps on 5 September.

But the most pressing concern for the Londoners is the ERC's bold step to appeal the ruling of the independent disciplinary panel that dismissed charges of misconduct against Richards, club doctor Wendy Chapman and physiotherapist Steph Brennan.

Following a three-day meeting in July, the independent committee ruled the complaints against the trio had not been proven.

The top brass within the ERC are understood to be unhappy with that decision along with the £215,000 fine imposed on Harlequins - half of which is suspended for two years - and they are worried that the findings of the disciplinary panel reflect badly on the Heineken Cup.

As a result, last season's quarter-finalists could face further fines or even expulsion from the tournament this time around.

Richards' former side realise that their name has been dragged through the mud amid the saga and the club will radically overhaul their internal policies and create an ethics code for all members of staff in the future, playing and non-playing, as a result of the fiasco.

A statement read: "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 covering a wide range of areas including respect for the laws of the game."

The date for the independent appeal hearing will be released within the next few days, while Harlequins flanker Nick Easter has paid tribute to his departing boss.

"Dean has proven over the years what a great coach he is - he has a track record of bringing in the younger players and developing them," he said.

"He has recruited well this summer."