Harlequins skipper Will Skinner has insisted Tom Williams remains "an integral part of the squad" despite the 'Bloodgate' scandal.
Harlequins captain insists winger is "as integral part of the squad"
Harlequins skipper Will Skinner has insisted winger Tom Williams remains "an integral part of the squad" despite the 'Bloodgate' scandal.
Williams is currently serving a four-month ban for attempting to fake a blood injury in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in April.
That suspension was reduced from 12 months on appeal - however Williams' testimony to the independent committee implicated a number of other members of the club's hierarchy.
Former director of rugby Dean Richards was subsequently banned for three years and ex physio Steph Brennan suspended for two years, while Williams also claimed the club had offered him a number of benefits to keep quiet.
That has seen the roles of chief executive Mark Evans and chairman Charles Jillings in the attempted cover-up come under intense scrutiny.
And although Williams also claimed some senior players had also encourage not to tell the truth, Skinner has insisted the 25-year-old still is highly-regarded within the squad.
"Tom's a great friend and highly-regarded as a player and an individual throughout the whole squad and nothing has changed," Skinner told
Sky Sports News.
Sympathetic
"He is training as usual and is an integral part of the squad at the moment."
Skinner, as club captain, has admitted to speaking to Williams about his appeal, but insisted there was no pressure placed on him
"We discussed options with him and we were very sympathetic with his position," Skinner added.
"He just discussed his situation and we talked freely about it."
Despite the pressure mounting on both Evans and Jillings, Skinner claims everyone at Harlequins have total respect for the duo.
"Those two guys have done a great amount for the club and as far as the players and I am concerned we hold them in the highest regard," he said.
