Harlequins winger Tom Williams has admitted his involvement in the 'Bloodgate' scandal was a "grave error of judgment".
Winger wants to draw a line under 'Bloodgate' scandal
Harlequins winger Tom Williams has admitted his involvement in the 'Bloodgate' scandal was a "grave error of judgment".
The 25-year-old had his initial 12-month suspension for faking a cut in the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster reduced to four months on appeal following an independent hearing in Glasgow on Monday.
However the appeals committee decided to ban former director of rugby Dean Richards for three years and ex Quins physio Steph Brennan for two years after the duo were initially cleared of any wrongdoing - while Harlequins were fined 300,000 euros.
Williams, though, will be free to play from November 20 - and the winger now wants to try and restore the club's damaged reputation.
In a statement Williams said: "I sincerely regret the role that I've played in this unacceptable incident that has done so much damage to the image of rugby union.
"I let down my team-mates and the club's fans, and I'll have to live with those actions for the rest of my career.
Relieved
"In deciding to come clean and do the right thing, I've tried honestly to rectify this mess and repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family.
"I would like to thank the ERC disciplinary panel for their decision to reduce my sanction and I am relieved that they did this.
"However, I also realise the grave error of judgment that I have made.
"I hope that, as a result of this episode, no player or employee will ever be put in such a compromised position, and if they are then they will always tell the truth, as I had wish I had done from the outset.
"It is now my desire to draw a line under this matter and return to training alongside my team-mates and friends at Harlequins and make a meaningful contribution to restoring the tarnished image of the club."
