Maesteg hooker Ryan Watkins suspended for doping violation

A Welsh Rugby Union player has been suspended from all sport for four years following an anti-doping rule violation, the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has confirmed.

Ryan Watkins, 23, who played for Maesteg Harlequins RFC, tested positive for an anabolic steroid and a stimulant following a pre-season friendly against Bridgend Ravens RFC last August.

Watkins will be banned until midnight on 11 September 2019 and becomes the eighth player in the Welsh leagues to be currently serving a ban for a drugs offence.

UKAD Director of Legal, Graham Arthur, acknowledged Watkins' offence as a serious breach of the rules and a blatant attempt to cheat the system.

"Ryan Watkins deliberately ingested nandrolone and methylhexaneamine without any consideration for his responsibilities as an athlete," he said.

"By making this conscious choice to dope, Watkins has chosen to cheat his team-mates, the opposition and his sport.

"I hope this case will act as a 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."

UKAD is responsible for ensuring sports bodies in the UK are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code through implementation and management of the UK's National Anti-Doping Policy.

Figures released by UKAD show 141 WRU doping tests were carried out between July and September 2015, a 27 per cent increase on the previous year. Over the same period, 508 tests were carried out for the Football Association and 116 for UK Athletics.

UK Anti-Doping continues to provide an education and information programme, in addition to testing across more than 40 Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports, in order to fulfil its aim of creating an environment where all athletes know they can compete in the true spirit of sport.