DAN HIPKISS IN BLOODGATE ROW

RUGBY legend Martin Offiah has demanded an investigation into this controversial Bloodgate II substitution.

TV pictures capture Leicester making a 'blood' switch in their dramatic penalty shootout Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Cardiff.

Centre Dan Hipkiss is replaced with specialist goal-kicker Julien Dupuy just two minutes before the end of extra-time.

Dupuy converted one of the penalties which gave the Tigers a sensational 7-6 shootout victory after the game had ended 26-26.

But Offiah wants rugby chiefs to probe whether Leicester should have been allowed to make the switch in the wake of the Harlequins fake blood capsule scandal.

He said: "There has to be an inquest, without a doubt.

"I was working for Sky at the time and I remember commentator Stuart Barnes raising the question about why the substitution was being allowed.

"Some people on the touchline were also asking: 'Where is the blood?'

"Hipkiss's head was dabbed with a piece of cotton wool. The referee asked for his head to be wiped to check if there was an open wound, but then someone said: 'Yes, I'm happy with that' and the decision was taken out of his hands.

"It looked very suspicious and, in light of what happened in the previous round with Harlequins, I think Hipkiss and Leicester should be called to question.

"If they say: 'There was blood' you could call an independent doctor to examine the player to see if there is some sort of scar.

"From what you see on TV you cannot categorically say: 'Yes, he's got a cut' and this needs further investigation."

The game - screened on Sky Sports in May - shows Dupuy trying to get on.

Hipkiss had earlier gone off with a blood injury and returned to the pitch wearing a skull cap.

As Dupuy attempts to get back on, referee Alan Lewis asks: "What's the story? Why is he coming back on?" He turns to Dupuy and adds: "Hey, why are you going back on?"

Someone is then heard saying: "There is blood."

And Lewis demands: "Make sure there is an open wound, OK?"

Hipkiss is seen now without his cap and as an ERC official checks his head, there appears doubt as to whether there is any fresh blood.

Lewis adds: "Hold on, I want a towel and I want that (Hipkiss' head) wiped please."

The physio says: "It's bleeding" and puts the cotton wool swab to the player's head.

He shows the bloodied swab to Lewis and adds: "What do you call that?"

An agitated Lewis responds: "I want to have a look, thank you very much indeed."

At this point the ERC official says: "I'm happy with that" and Leicester are allowed to make the switch.

Tigers coach Richard Cockerill insisted they did not cheat and declared: "If you have blood you have blood, and if you need to get stitches the laws say you go off the field and that can be used. That is what we did against Cardiff when Hipkiss came off saying he needed stitches and we brought on Dupuy.

"That's the way the laws are and sometimes you have to do what you have to do within the laws to win the game. There was nothing premeditated about it and nothing illegal."

ERC spokesman John Corcoran said: "The ERC match commissioner spoke to the referee about the incident and he stated that he was satisfied. On that basis no further action will be taken."

But Offiah, 42, who was awarded an MBE for his success playing both codes of the game, added: "Sometimes there is a bit of blood and it has been made worse to affect the substitution.

"I have been in games where there have been blood injuries made to look worse, sometimes by the individual player.

"And, without a doubt, clubs are taking advantage of the blood substitution law.

"Rugby Union has done itself a lot of harm with the Harlequins scandal. It has tainted the sport."

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