Scott lands life ban

Mike Scott, the former London Welsh team manager who received a police caution for fraudulently submitting false documents to the Rugby Football Union, has been banned from the sport for life.

Scott forged a passport and supplied other "false and misleading information" as he desperately tried to cover up the fact he had not secured the right visa for New Zealand-born scrum-half Tyson Keats.

On Thursday night London Welsh were deducted five Aviva Premiership points and fined £15,000 for fielding an ineligible player in 10 matches, including all four of their league victories.

The club, now bottom of the league by two points from Sale Sharks, have vowed to appeal the verdict, arguing they were "unknowingly the victim of one individual's fraudulent conduct".

The RFU's disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett banned Scott from the management, coaching or playing of rugby union and membership of any club for life.

In a written submission, Scott apologised for his actions and said there was no pre-conceived plan.

Scott did apply for Keats' ancestry visa but it was rejected because he had failed to include all the necessary documentation.

At that stage, Scott said he made a "gross error of judgement" in submitting false registration forms to the RFU, claiming Keats was born in Christchurch, England rather than Christchurch, New Zealand.

Scott then compounded that error with a number of further actions, including the submission of a forged passport to the RFU.

Scott accepted a police caution on February 14.