The Welsh Rugby Union has called for an end to doping within rugby union following the suspension of a player for four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

Ryan Watkins, who played for Maesteg Harlequins has been suspended from all sport after testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone and the stimulant methylhexaneamine following an in-competition test on 18 August after a pre-season friendly against Bridgend Ravens. Watkins is banned from 12 September 2015 to midnight on 11 September 2019.

WRU Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips said, “There is no place for doping within sport, and it certainly doesn’t fit in with the values of rugby union. 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. Many of the ADRV findings are intelligence-led and we will be relentless in working with UKAD to follow up leads that out players who dope in Welsh rugby.

“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.”

UKAD Director of Legal, Graham Arthur said: “Ryan Watkins deliberately ingested nandrolone and methylhexaneamine without any consideration for his repsonsibilities as an athlete. By making this conscious choice to dope, Watkins has chosen to cheat his team mates, the opposition and his sport.

“This serious breach of the rules and blatant attempt to cheat the system has rightly resulted in a four year ban.

“I hope this case will act as strong deterrent to other young amateur players – the risks to your playing career, your reputation and more importantly to your health, just aren’t worth it.”

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.

Players and clubs are urged to go to the anti-doping section of the WRU website – www.wru.co.uk/antidoping – which contains 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 last 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.

The WRU has begun a programme to train additional anti-doping educators and advisors to deliver anti-doping education. The Union also offers to deliver anti-doping awareness workshops at Regions and clubs around Wales.

Call the UKAD Report Doping in Sport number – tel 0800 032 2332, go to www.reportdoping.com with any intelligence of potential doping taking place.

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