Evans says Harlequins have had a good season

Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans has apologised for the "huge mistakes" made during the "Bloodgate" scandal.

The RFU is to take no further action against Evans or former Quins chairman Charles Jillings over the affair.

But in his programme notes for the clash with Leicester, Evans wrote: "We have made some huge mistakes and apologise to all our supporters.

"The reputation of the club has taken a battering and we will need to redouble our efforts to restore it."

Quins have already paid a heavy price for the controversy which saw winger Tom Williams bite on a blood capsule to fake injury in last season's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster.

We still have many good things to be proud of, not least the young, entertaining team that represents us Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans

Former director of rugby Dean Richards was banned for three years, Williams for four months while the club itself was fined almost £260,000.

But hopes of drawing a line under the matter were not helped by George Robson's dismissal for headbutting just 46 seconds into the club's Premiership season-opener against Wasps.

Evans told the fans: "It is with a certain sense of relief that I welcome you all to the Twickenham Stoop for the first home game of the season.

"It has been a torrid and difficult summer for the club for reasons that you all know and we have lost some people who have given quite exceptional service to Harlequins over many years.

"We still have many good things to be proud of, not least the young, entertaining team that represents us all on the pitch today.

"Last weekend against Wasps we saw the worst possible start with a sending off after 46 seconds followed by a performance full of guts, determination and endeavour.

"There has clearly been no loss of team spirit since the end of last season. Above all else it will be great to concentrate on the rugby again."

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