UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that an amateur Scottish rugby player, Darren Eales, has been suspended from all sport for two years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Eales (22) from Prestonpans in East Lothian, tested positive for exogenous anabolic androgenic steroids Boldenone, Trenbolone and Oxymetholone (and their various metabolites) following an out-of-competition test on 19 November 2014, as a result of intelligence received by Scottish Rugby about the prop forward’s alleged use of banned substances.

Eales final game prior to testing was for Preston Lodge RFC in BT National League Division 3 on 18 October 2014. He was also dual registered with Kelso RFC and Melrose RFC during the 2014/15 season. Eales is banned from all competition from 11 December 2014 until 10 December 2016. The full written decision can be found under current rule violations.

UKAD’s Director of Operations Pat Myhill said: “The successful prosecution of Darren Eales came as a result of UKAD’s Intelligence and Investigations team receiving information from Scottish Rugby about the player’s use of steroids. It is through this partnership, and by sharing information, that once again we are able to rid the game of an athlete who deliberately goes against the values of clean sport. The case of Darren Eales clearly demonstrates that regardless of the level, sports themselves will not tolerate those who decide to intentionally dope and those who go against the spirit of the game they love. For UKAD the use of intelligence-led and targeted testing programmes is a vital part of our work. Gathering and acting on valuable intelligence is incredibly important to protect clean sport, and we urge anyone who has information about doping to come forward and share it with us anonymously via reportdoping.com or by calling 08000 32 23 32.”

Scottish Rugby’s Head of Regulation, Graham Ireland, said: “Scottish Rugby has a zero-tolerance policy on doping. Through a robust testing and education programme, and working in partnership with clubs, anti-doping agencies and other governing bodies, Scottish Rugby is committed to ensuring the game in Scotland is kept clean. Since the 2009-2010 season there have been over 1,200 drugs tests in Scottish Rugby, at all levels of the game, with some 246 in season 2014/15. In that period, there have been three adverse findings – an amateur club player in 2010, who was found to have taken a slimming product that contained an illegal substance, in 2013, Sam Chalmers who was tested a Scotland under-20 training sessions, and this latest case. This violation is a firm reminder that testing can occur at any level of the game, anywhere and at any time. Scottish Rugby encourages anyone with intelligence as to doping offences to contact UKAD or ourselves. The steps taken by officials at Preston Lodge during this time were exemplary, in ensuring a clean and fair game, particularly when the league season was still underway.”

• This media release was originally published on the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) internet site on 13 July 2015. To access the original, please click here.