Fake injuries widespread: Richards

Former Harlequins Director of Rugby Dean Richards has claimed the faking of injuries has been widespread in rugby union and "everybody knows that it goes on".

Richards, who has been banned from the sport for three years following his role in the 'bloodgate' scandal, explained that various methods of manipulating the system have emerged in rugby.

The incident which led to Richards' worldwide ban occurred in Harlequins' Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster at the Twickenham Stoop on April 12.

Tom Williams was given a blood capsule and ordered to feign injury so that Quins, who were trailing 6-5 with five minutes remaining, could send previously substituted fly-half Nick Evans back onto the field.

"Blood capsules, cutting of players, false blood on rags, faked front-row injuries - all have gone on in the game," Richards told the News of the World.

"Hand on heart, if guys came out and spoke honestly about it, everybody knows that it goes on. Some people have physically cut people in the past and it was suggested to me by a couple of overseas players that we should have done that.

"I refused to do that, which is why we went down the route of using blood capsules."

Full article:
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...556337,00.html

I only robbed the deli on the corner and others have robbed the supermarket

Dean Richards should just go peacefully

why ? might as well be hung for a horse instead of just the sheep - why go quietly what does he gain.

Forwards have always taken a moment when the backs needed it - more so in the olden days - not a good look but he is right it did happen.

i dont mind a forward going down so the team can have a breather, but faking a blood bin so they can substitue players in like that is a very bad practice, and it paints rugby in bad light.

If there are more people out there doing this sort of thing then they should be banned or suspended for a period.