Welsh player handed huge doping ban after 'cocktail' of drugs found in his system

A Welsh club player has been handed a huge ban after testing positive for doping in a Welsh Premiership match.

Maredydd Francis, of Rygbi Gogledd Cymru 1404 RFC, has been suspended from all sport for a period of four years.

Francis failed an in-competition test during a match for the North Wales club against Aberavon RFC on 10th March 2018.

A "cocktail" of performance-enhancing drugs were found in the 24-year-old's system including 17?-epitrenbolone (a metabolite of trenbolone), nandrolone and testosterone and along with four metabolites of testosterone including androsterone and etiocholanone.

Francis will not be allowed to play sport again until until midnight on 9 March 2022.

UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “This is one of several cases we have seen recently in which the athlete is guilty not only of taking a performance enhancing drug, but a number of banned substances.

“Athletes must be aware that taking such a cocktail of performance enhancing drugs will not only see them banned from sport, but also has the potential to be hugely damaging to health.

“We hope such instances serve as a warning to others.”

Francis was a former captain of RGC and made over 100 appearances for the club.

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