Harlequins were crowned champions of England for the first time by defeating Leicester in a thrilling Twickenham final – three years after Bloodgate wrecked the club's reputation.
Tries in each half by wing Tom Williams and Chris Robshaw – accompanied by 20 points from fly-half Nick Evans' trusty right boot – saw skipper Chris Robshaw lift the Aviva Premiership trophy as Quins became the sixth different club to be crowned Premiership champions after Newcastle, Leicester, Wasps, Sale and Saracens.
This time three years ago Quins were reeling from Bloodgate, a despicable cheating episode during a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Irish heavyweights Leinster. Rugby director Dean Richards received a three-year worldwide coaching ban for his role in instigating Williams chewing on a fake blood capsule in an attempt to get potential goalkicking matchwinner Evans back on the field after he had left injured.
It was unquestionably English professional rugby's most unsavoury episode, but Quins – led by their inspirational Irish rugby director Conor O'Shea – have now turned things around in spectacular fashion.
Evans kicked six penalties and a conversion, eclipsing his 19-year-old opposite number George Ford, whose 13-point haul included conversions of both Leicester tries by flanker Steve Mafi and centre Anthony Allen.
Leicester scored 10 unanswered points during the final quarter, but Quins had already done enough to consign the Tigers to their fifth defeat in eight successive Premiership final appearances.
It was the perfect send-off for England captain Robshaw and many of his Quins colleagues, who will depart next week on a three-Test tour to South Africa. Robshaw deservedly took man-of-the-match honours, and it was hard to question whether there has been a more influential player on the English rugby stage this season.
Leicester had their moments during a pulsating final, but Quins ultimately had too much ammunition during critical areas of the contest, and Tigers could not respond at the death on farewell appearances for wings Alesana Tuilagi and Horacio Agulla, plus lock George Skivington.
Harlequins – Tries: Williams, Robshaw. Con: Evans. Pens: Evans 6.
Leicester – Tries: Mafi, Allen. Cons: Ford 2. Pens: Ford 3.
Aviva Premiership final: Reputations restored
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