RFU investigated blood capsule allegations following Bloodgate scandal
The fallout from the Bloodgate scandal threatened to damage rugby union’s reputation for good.
Still now, 18 months after Tom Williams bit into the infamous blood capsule, against Leinster in the 2008/09 Heineken Cup, Harlequins are left to pick up the pieces of their actions.
However, today’s reports suggest that things could have been far worse for the sport. After being tipped off that England players had used fake blood to effect substitutions in matches between 2003 and 2009, the RFU were left with no choice but to launch a thorough investigation.
According to The Times, officials from the sport’s governing body in England spent a month analysing every blood substitution involving the national team at home and abroad. These were then checked alongside doctors’ written medical records to confirm that the injuries were legitimate.
“There was genuine concern that something might be found that would implicate England,” Jeff Blackett, the union’s disciplinary officer, was quoted as saying in The Times.
“It was our duty to follow it through. Thankfully no irregularities were found.”
The results of the investigation came as a welcome relief to the RFU, who had been led to believe that blood capsules had been used prior to the Harlequins scandal on a regular basis.
Dean Richards, Quins’ former director of rugby, will soon find out whether his challenge against his three-year ban from the sport has been successful. The former No. 8 was found guilty of masterminding the notorious Bloodgate scandal, and duly paid a heavy price.
He wasn’t the only one, though. Just last month the club’s physiotherapist, Steph Brennan, had his career ended after being struck off, while the doctor at the centre of the scandal, Wendy Chapman, was only just spared her career following a lengthy court case.
The RFU will be relieved that their investigation won’t have to result in any similar disciplinary measures. But after Bloodgate, doubts will continue to persist over how clean the sport has truly been over the past decade.
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