vFollowing the announcement of two further positive drugs tests, the WRU issues a warning against further abuse of illegal substances in the Welsh game.
WRU issues warning to players after positive doping tests
The Welsh Rugby Union has issued a strong warning to players at all levels of the game to ensure they train and compete cleanly for the good of the game following suspensions of two players for anti-doping rule violations.
Owen Morgan, who played for Merthyr has been banned from all sport for four years after testing positive for the anabolic steroid drostanolone and the stimulant benzoylcgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) following an in-competition test on 7 March 2015 after a SWALEC Division One West match against Bridgend Athletic.
Greg Roberts, who played for Glynneath has been banned from all sport for two years after testing positive for a metabolite of tamoxifen (a prohibited substance under Section 4, Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, of the WADA Prohibited List) following an in-competition test on 14 February 2015 after a SWALEC Division One West match against RGC1404. CLICK HERE FOR FULL WRITTEN DECEISION OF UKAD.
WRU Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips said, “These bans serve as a strong warning to everyone in the game that non-compliance with anti-doping rules carries grave consequences.
“There is no place for doping within sport, and it certainly doesn’t fit in with the values of rugby union. Whether intentional, or inadvertent, players have a responsibility to themselves, to each other, to their clubs and to the sport to act within the rules and spirit of the game.
“We work closely with UK Anti-Doping and fully adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code. There is no room in the code for carelessness or not knowing, and players are encouraged to check the prohibited lists, found via the WRU website which include over-the-shelf medication and supplements.
“We want to rid our game of these practices and we encourage anyone who has any intelligence of doping taking place to call the WRU or UKAD and help protect our game.”
Nicole Sapstead, UKAD’s Chief Executive said:
“By making the wrong choices, Owen Morgan and Greg Roberts have cheated themselves, their team mates and their sport. Not only have they damaged their sporting careers but they have put their health at risk.
“Our primary focus remains on taking a preventative approach to doping by working to eradicate the source of the problem. We do this in partnership with National Governing Bodies of sport, educating athletes on the risks they take if they decide to take drugs and helping them to make the right choices based on the true spirit of sport.
“At the same time we continue to develop our links with a wide range of law enforcement partners, to combat the production and supply of these substances. In doing so we are protecting sport, and helping to curb the increasingly worrying trend of steroid abuse by young men.”
The Welsh Rugby Union launched a nationwide anti-doping campaign last December to raise awareness of intentional and non-intentional doping. A new section on the WRU website was launched – www.wru.co.uk/antidoping – with clear advice to help inform players and support staff of the rules and regulations with regards to doping including the new World Anti-Doping Code that came into force at the start of the year. There are links to help players check any medication and supplements they may be thinking of taking to ensure they are not on the prohibited substances list, and advice on batch testing products.
Wales captain Sam Warburton produced a video message [CLICK HERE to view], calling on everyone involved in the game in Wales to protect our sport so that every player has the right to compete with and against other clean players.
There are now four year bans for cheating involving serious doping substances (eg steroids, growth hormone, EPO) and refusal or evading sample collection.
The WRU advises all its National Squads on anti-doping and ensures the professional regions and semi-professional clubs are fully aware of their responsibility to educate their players of the UK anti-doping rules and regulations. Players who are on the international pathway also have to complete World Rugby’s e-learning course.
Since the launch of the campaign at the end of last year, the WRU has also trained its coach development officers to become anti-doping advisors and educators so they can deliver the anti-doping education. The WRU now offers to deliver anti-doping awareness workshops at Regions and clubs around Wales, and is planning additional education and awareness workshops at lower levels of the game.
