London--Harlequins wing Tom Williams, who was at the centre of the infamous 'Bloodgate' scandal, is to retire from full-time rugby at the end of this season, the English Premiership club announced Tuesday.
Williams, who has spent 13 years with the London side, is set to join the staff of Quins' academy.
Back in 2009 he was involved in the 'Bloodgate' controversy when he left the field after biting on a fake blood capsule during a European Cup quarter-final against Leinster, allowing a tactical substitution that got goalkicker Nick Evans back on the field.
When rugby authorities unearthed the conspiracy, Williams was suspended for 12 months -- cut to four on appeal -- while Quins rugby director Dean Richards, the former England No 8, was given a three-year global ban.
The 31-year-old Williams, explaining his decision to retire, said: "Time and injury have caught up with me over the last two years, and while I may have one or two regrets, I can look back on my career with Harlequins with immense pride.
"Fortunately, I have been afforded an opportunity to influence the next generation of Quins players by being offered a role within the coaching staff."
Quins rugby director Conor O'Shea, Richards's successor at the Stoop, added: "Tom has one of the best rugby brains there is. His ability to know where to stand in defence, and his lines of running in attack, remain an on-pitch rugby education to anyone.
"He will be missed as a player, but I know with his rugby intellect a fabulous coaching career awaits, and we look forward to watching him take those first steps at his one and only club."
AFP
