David Strettle: Now we can look to the future

Harlequins wing David Strettle is looking forward to focusing on the pitch after his side escaped further punishment from European Rugby Cup over the Bloodgate affair.

Heineken Cup organisers yesterday said misconduct charges against the club and their staff in the wake of the fake-blood scandal have been brought "as far as is feasible".

With the new Guinness Premiership season having begun last weekend, Strettle is ready to move on after the club's shameful episode.

"As a playing group, we get paid to play rugby," he said. "It's been going on a long time now. We've heard so much about this that we have become immune to it.

"If you drag something on for too long, you get used to it. We are just looking forward now."

Quins are not completely out of the woods yet - Bloodgate could still rumble on as the Rugby Football Union must now decide whether to take any action.

The RFU's disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett will decide by Friday whether to punish the club further.

Meanwhile, Quins lock George Robson was last night suspended for six weeks for headbutting London Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson at Twickenham on Saturday.