Quins threat over European stand-in

Harlequins are threatening to pull out of Europe in a row over a hooker, jeopardising their European Shield semi-final against Newcastle at Headingley, set for Sunday.

Tournament organisers, European Rugby Cup Ltd, rejected the club's appeal for special dispensation to play an unregistered hooker.

Since making their initial request last week, Quins' problem in the middle of their front row has blown into a full-scale emergency. Keith Wood's rib injury during their Premiership beating at Leicester last Saturday has left the London club without a fit hooker on their list registered for this weekend's clash.

They had five at the start of the season: Wood, the Samoan Tani Fuga, Andy Dawling, Nigel Matthews and Matthew Williams. Fuga is injured, Dawling suspended while Matthews has transferred to Leeds and Williams to Caerphilly.

John Roddam, a 19-year-old who had not set foot in the Premiership until Wood's painful exit heralded his premature arrival, has not been registered for Europe.

'If I cannot pick a specialist hooker against Newcastle on Sunday, we won't play,' said acting coach-cum-chief executive Mark Evans. 'This is a case of blind adherence to the regulations. I am not prepared to put the health and safety of any of my players at risk by playing a non-specialist hooker in order to comply.'