Yorkshire Carnegie backrow banned for four years for doping

Yorkshire Carnegie backrow handed four-year ban after testing positive for three types of steroid. 

Carnegie number eight Brandon Staples tested positive for three different steroids in August 2017. 

The 20-year-old was tested after a training session on the 9th of August last year at the Championship side and his urine sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF). Staples claimed the result was due to consuming a sports nutrition drink whilst still in South Africa in May 2017. 

Staples' ban has been imposed from September 2017, the date of his original suspension, and will be free to play again as of the 6th of September 2021. ​

Stephen Watkins, RFU Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Manager added: “This is the first failed test for a performance enhancing substance in English professional rugby since 2011 and a reminder to all that we cannot be complacent in our efforts to keep rugby a clean sport.
 
“Education and deterrence remain core pillars to our anti-doping strategy and we must ensure we continue to educate players of the risks involved in supplementation. Ultimately individuals are responsible for what they put into their bodies and this case highlights what can happen if a player is not vigilant.”
 
The case was first heard by an independent panel including Mark Hovell (Chair), Blondel Thompson and Lorraine Johnson.
 
The case also went to an appeal panel which upheld the original decision. The panel included Robert Englehart QC (Chair), Kitrina Douglas and Carole Billington-Wood.