UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has confirmed that a Rugby League player Shaun Owens has been suspended from all sport for two years following an anti-doping rule violation. Mr Owens, 26, a South Wales Scorpions player, tested positive for the presence of an anabolic steroid dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone and one of its metabolites following an out-of-competition test on 24 November 2014. The athlete is banned from all competition from 18 December 2014 to 17 December 2016. The full written decision is available under current rule violations.

UK Anti-Doping Director of Legal Graham Arthur said: “Rugby players have the same responsibilities to clean sport as other sportspeople and all are subject to the anti-doping rules whether in or out of competition. Shaun Owens went against the values and behaviours of clean sport and this failure has resulted in a two year ban. Under the 2015 Code, this type of offence will automatically result in a four-year ban from sport. I hope this case will act as a deterrent to others and demonstrate that there is no hiding place for athletes who go against the culture of clean sport.”

• This media release was originally published on the UKAD internet site on 11 March 2015. To access the original, click here.