RFU chief Francis Baron has launched a "game-wide taskforce" to review recent damaging issues in English rugby. © Getty Images

But in a move that could be seen as being as controversial as the original incident they have decided to take no further disciplinary action despite a wealth of evidence against the club and the players involved.

You can understand their urgency to reach a swift conclusion on this matter as the whole sorry saga has hogged the headlines for what seems like an age. The desire to wipe the slate clean to ahead of the new domestic season and in particular the launch of the much-hyped Championship (the new-look and newly-named National League One) will have also been a significant factor in the timing of the publication of their findings.

But neither of these points excuses the somewhat speedy and unsatisfactory conclusion.

The European Rugby Cup investigation into Quins’ use of fake blood in their Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Leinster has already cost the club dear. Former director of rugby Dean Richards has been banned for three years, ex-physio Steph Brennan was hit with a two year sanction while winger Tom Williams face four months on the sidelines.

To their credit Quins were quick to instigate a wide-ranging internal review to establish whether this had been an isolated incident. Sadly for them and us it wasn’t.

With the promise of anonymity and immunity from club disciplinary proceedings, players came forward with evidence of four other instances of the use of fake blood. This evidence in turn was presented to the RFU and explained by Brennan as the issue began to spiral out of the domestic domain.

But rather than go after those guilty of disgracing the game, the RFU have chosen to draw a line under it all in fear of the cold hard fact that these incidents are just the tip of the iceberg.

"It is apparent from evidence provided to the Harlequins internal review by players who described practices in other teams in which they have played, that Harlequins is not the only club which may have been guilty of inappropriate behaviour of a similar kind,” said RFU Disciplinary Officer, Judge Jeff Blackett, who is unfortunately now such a well-known figure in the game.

His assessment is a sad reflection on the current state of the game in England and underlines the size of the problem facing the RFU. But they are not going to earn praise from the sport’s crowing critics by letting those responsible for these latest transgressions off the hook.

"The players named by Mr Brennan have not had the opportunity to respond to any allegations against them,” said Blackett. So why not give them the time to build a case?

"Before taking any action, a further investigation would be required and it would rely on the co-operation of Mr Brennan and Mr Richards. This would take time and continue to attract speculation which might further damage reputations,” Blackett continued.

Time should not be an issue – getting your house in order should be the priority. And by surely not dealing with the mess appropriately you are risking even greater damage to the reputation of the sport and all those tarred by the bloodshed?

“I do not believe it to be in the best interests of the game to publish the names of the players or to initiate disciplinary proceedings,” he concluded.

I’m not sure it is in the best interests of the game to let them off. As I understand they have been granted immunity from club disciplinary proceedings only – and not the wrath of the union. However, I understand how this could lead to an ‘abuse of process’ legal minefield with no real winner.

This last decision will grate particularly with Williams, Richards and Brennan who, as originally feared, have been made the scapegoats for a much wider problem. But Harlequins will breathe another huge sigh of relief just a week or so after escaping the ERC investigation with their Heineken Cup status preserved. The RFU are obviously of the belief that this is a widespread problem and to single out one club would not be fair.

The RFU had to act after what has been a painful few months for the sport and their answer comes in the form of “game-wide taskforce” that will address all the issues raised – and perhaps a few that haven’t yet surfaced. Let’s just hope the formation of this new police force is not overtaken by events.

UPDATE - As feared, the latest twist in this story was just around the corner. The ERC judgment in Williams' appeal and the player's explosive testimony are set to spell further trouble for Harlequins. The RFU may have opted against penalising Quins for the other instances of fake blood but their interest will now surely switch to the conduct of Quins chief executive, Mark Evans, and the club's chairman, Charles Jillings. According to Williams' testimony, the duo pressured him into limiting the scope of his appeal to protect the club - in return he was offered some sweeteners. The RFU is set to wait for the full report before making their next move.

What was left of the club's reputation was already in tatters and it now appears that what is left will be shredded in the wake of these latest revelations. And sadly, this story still has some way to run.