Positive test: Eifion Lewis-Roberts
According to reports in the French press, Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts could be suspended for up to two years after returning a positive drugs test following the Top 14 Final.
Lewis-Roberts, then with Toulon, returned a positive B sample for morphine and pseudoephedrine after the final against Toulouse in June, with both drugs discovered following a urine test according to L'Equipe.
It means that Lewis-Roberts could receive a punishment ranging from a warning to up to two-years suspension, unless he can prove that the drug did not enhance his performance.
The news comes as a surprise given that the B sample was tested seven months after the game took place.
Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage was charged with a similar offence after testing positive for morphine, which is metabolised from codeine, except Armitage admitting to taking the drugs on his dope test form.
Armitage was cleared of doping charges after insisting his failed test was as a result of taking two anti-inflammatory tablets before the game to combat back pain.
Comments
shrimps says...
@ alanatleeds
great. except i am not being accused of anything and i am not a professional athlete attempting to hide my doping. i am defending modern rugby players of ignorant people like you who do not understand the manner of their training.
@ GoWalesGo
it is possible for that use. very unlikely this player was doing this though for many reasons.
Posted 12:45 16th February 2013
alanatleeds says...
@shrimps
Reminds me of Lance Armstrong's statements.
Posted 20:22 15th February 2013
GoWalesGo says...
Don't people use morphine as a recreational drug as well though?
Posted 11:26 15th February 2013
shrimps says...
@ alanatleeds
i have much experience with weights training. there are many reasons other than drugs for sudden bulking up, it is generally people ignorant of training that make claims like yours. for first, most of the players coming on these days have been weights training since 15 years old or younger. it is not sudden. secondly, these are not average men. the probability is that most of these players have better than average genetics for weight gain and strength. thirdly, it is much easier to gain muscle weight than people think. most people are lazy or ignorant at the gym. these players have all the supplements (non-hormonal of course), diets and they have professional trainers telling them what to do, some of the best even. it is these players jobs to be big and strong, it is not a side hobby as for average people. please make some research because your writing spews ignorance. it is an insult to people who just work hard at the gym and experience people like you.
@ GoWalesGo
they are not recreational drugs. pseudoephedrine is a nasal decongestant and morphine as you must know is a painkiller.
Posted 10:50 15th February 2013
lardon says...
@GoWalesGo
Morphine is a pain killer and Pseudoephedrine is, as I understand it, is the main ingredient found in Cold and flu tablets (Like Sudafed). Not exactly the Lance Armstrong level of doping here.
Posted 10:07 15th February 2013
GoWalesGo says...
I don't know anything about performance enhancing drugs but "morphine and pseudoephedrine" sounds like recreational drugs to me.
Posted 09:30 15th February 2013
lardon says...
Why did they wait seven months to test the sample??
Posted 00:34 15th February 2013
alanatleeds says...
I'm sure it will be swept under the carpet, after all, everyone knows only cyclists take drugs!
One day we will have a proper rigorous drug testing regime in rugby and the sudden "bulking up" of players that we have all seen will become a thing of the past.
Posted 21:07 14th February 2013