Bloodgate: How scandal rocked rugby

Tom Williams took a blood capsule out of his sock, put it in his mouth, and then tried to chew down on it.

The 25-year-old was led off the pitch with strangely scarlet blood streaming from his mouth.

A blood injury meant Harlequins could bring their star fly- half Nick Evans back on for a late drop-goal shot at glory.

The convenience of Williams ' injury raised eyebrows and suspicions.

Tom Williams was banned from rugby for a year after being found guilty of a blood capsule plot against Harlequins in Bloodgate .

The club had its defence though, with Richards , Chapman and Brennan all co-ordinated their accounts.

Williams wanted to tell the truth, explain his actions and rescue his rugby dreams.

He was offered a new two-year deal, three years of guaranteed employment at the club once he had retired and a promise to help him build a career outside of rugby.

Dean Richards admitted instructing physio Brennan to carry the blood capsules in his medical bag "just in case" He was judged to be the "directing mind" of the Bloodgate plot and banned from rugby for three years .

Physio Brennan admitted buying the fake blood in advance and was described as Richards ' "willing lieutenant" Williams was targeted on the pitch, with opposing players aiming taunts, and sometimes punches, at him.