Michael Lowis banned for four years after anti-doping violation

Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced a four-year ban for Clevedon rugby player Michael Lowis following an anti-doping violation.

The news was confirmed by a statement released by the England board which revealed the presence of prohibited substances drostanolone and trenbolone (metabolite 17-epitrenbolone) in the urine sample provided by the 40-year-old.

"Michael Lowis (Clevedon RFC) has been suspended for a period of four years from all sport following the decision of a national anti-doping independent panel for an anti-doping violation," the RFU said.

"Lowis will receive a credit for the period of his provisional suspension - which began on 10 April 2017 - the start date for the period of ineligibility of four years from any sport."

The sample was provided on 25th March following the South West 1 West Division clash between Bridgewater & Albion and Clevedon which his team went on to win by 24-19.

The independent panel consisted of chairman William Norris QC, Blondel Thompson and professor Gordon McInnes.

Drostanolone is a steroid that improves endurance without weight gain while Trenbolone is an extremely powerful anabolic steroid which allows bodybuilders and athletes to build muscle.