Allegations the England team have faked blood injuries are the top priority for the Rugby Football Union task group's investigation into the Bloodgate scandal which begins this week, writes Paul Ackford in the Daily Telegraph.
"According to RFU sources, Chairman Martyn Thomas instructed Rob Andrew, the RFU's elite director of rugby, to contact Johnson to see if he was in any way involved.
"Thomas got on to Rob and told him to get hold of Martin Johnson," a source said. "Thomas wanted a straight 'Yes' or 'No'. He made it clear that if the answer was 'No' and the task group turns up evidence of cheating then Johnson will be hung out to dry. Rob made the call and received confirmation from Johnson that nothing has happened on his watch."
"The exchange is an indication of how seriously the RFU are taking Bloodgate. Those who have seen Quins' internal report, which was presented to Blackett by Quins' interim chairman, Malcolm Wall, two weeks ago, confirm allegations involving England go beyond feigning injuries to force uncontested scrums, or the faking of injuries to allow props back on to the pitch."
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