Harlequins chief executive apologises for 'Bloodgate'

Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans has apologised to supporters for the "huge mistakes" made by the club throughout the 'Bloodgate' scandal.

The Rugby Football Union ended the five-month saga last night when disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett announced he would take no further action against Evans or former Harlequins chairman Charles Jillings.

Quins have already paid a heavy price for the controversy, which began five months ago to the day when Tom Williams bit on a blood capsule to fake injury in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster.

Former director of rugby Dean Richards was banned for three years, winger Tom Williams for four months and the club was fined almost £260,000.

In his programme notes for Quins' Premiership clash with Leicester Evans wrote: "It is with a certain sense of relief that I welcome you all to the Twickenham Stoop for the first home game of the season.

"It has been a torrid and difficult summer for the club for reasons that you all know and we have lost some people who have given quite exceptional service to Harlequins over many years.

"We have made some huge mistakes and need to apologise to all our supporters, sponsors and staff for that.

"The reputation of the club has taken a deserved battering and we will need to redouble our efforts over a long period of time to restore it."

Harlequins have a giant banner proclaiming "Pride of London" in the corner of the LV Stand and Evans believes they can live up to that tag on the field from now on.

Those efforts were not helped by George Robson's dismissal for headbutting just 46 seconds into last weekend's season-opener against Wasps.

But Quins responded well - it was not until the final quarter that Wasps sealed the win - and Evans said: "We still have many good things to be proud of, not least the young, entertaining team that represents us all on the pitch today.

"Last weekend against Wasps we saw the worst possible start with a sending off after 46 seconds followed by a performance full of guts, determination and endeavour.

"There has clearly been no loss of team spirit since the end of last season.

"Above all else it will be great to concentrate on the rugby again."