The fall-out from Harlequins' fake-injury scandal continued on Saturday with the resignation of the club's director of rugby, Dean Richards.

Richards's departure comes after Harlequins were fined STG215,000 ($A430,000) and winger Tom Williams suspended for 12 months over an incident in last season's European Cup quarter-final with eventual champions Leinster.

Williams was found guilty of faking a blood injury so that he could be replaced in the closing minutes with his side trailing 6-5 by New Zealand kicker Nick Evans.

Harlequins are reviewing the incident, and a statement released by the club on Saturday announced: "During the course of this process Dean Richards unreservedly tendered his resignation from his post as director of rugby.

"The board of Harlequins has accepted his resignation."

Richards and two members of the club's medical team had misconduct charges dismissed by the European Rugby Board but Williams and Quins were both found guilty of fabricating a cut to the mouth in order to allow substituted fly-half Evans to return to the field with five minutes remaining of the match.

Television cameras spotted Williams winking towards the bench with 'blood' smeared around his mouth.

The player will appeal against the ban handed down on July 20, Harelquins indicated, although the club have accepted the fine, half of which was suspended.

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