Yorkshire Carnegie's Brandon Staples suspended for four years after anti-doping violation

Yorkshire Carnegie flanker Brandon Staples has been handed a suspension of four years by the Rugby Football Union after he was tested positive for three steroids.

The 20-year-old was tested positive for Dehydrochloromethyl-Testosterone, Metandienone and Stanozolol after he underwent a test in August following a training.

Staples was provisionally suspended since September last year and now his ban of four years will be effective until 6th September 2021 according to a statement released by the Rugby Football Union. He also becomes the first professional rugby union player to be suspended for a performance-enhancing drug since 2011.

RFU anti-doping and illicit drugs programme manager Stephen Watkins confirmed the news on Staples and further stressed the importance of education on the issue from the grassroots.

"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."

According to a report, Staples claimed that the test of prohibited substances was due to the nutritional drink he consumed in May last year while he was on a holiday.