Pugsley banned for eight years

Wales international and former Wigan player Rhys Pugsley has been suspended from all sport for eight years after committing a second Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

Pugsley, from Newport in Wales, tested positive for the presence of the anabolic steroid nandrolone following an out-of-competition test on 8 February 2016.

At the time of the test, the former Wigan Academy playerwas already serving a two-year ban for steroid use which was committed in April 2014.

As a result of the player committing a second violation, a ban of eight years has been imposed.

UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “Having made his Wales debut at the age of 18, Rhys Pugsley had a bright future ahead of him in rugby league.

“But Rhys has singlehandedly destroyed that promising career as a result of this second violation.

“All athletes serving a sanction remain subject to testing throughout the course of their suspension, to mitigate the risk of them returning to sport and continuing to dope.

“Rhys’ conscious choice to continue to take performance enhancing substances, whilst he was already serving a ban, has rightly been met with a further tough sanction.

“We take this type of violation with the utmost seriousness and our message is clear – there is no place in sport for those who consciously dope.

“UKAD continues to be concerned about the number of young men who are turning to steroid use for performance or cosmetic enhancement. This trend continues to be a serious issue and we are calling on our partners in the sport, health and education sectors to support us in trying to tackle the issue.

“UKAD works closely with the Rugby Football League to ensure that anti-doping education, resources and support, are available to players, so that they can make the right choices throughout their careers to compete and win clean.”

Pugsley is banned from all sport from 3 March 2016 until midnight on 2 March 2024.