Rugby union player, Daniel Wells banned for four years

Press Release

23rd October 2018

Rugby union player Daniel Wells, then of Clifton RFC, has been suspended from all sport for a period of four years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).

Mr Wells tested positive for the presence of the prohibited substances ostarine (an anabolic agent) and 4-methylhexan-2-amine (methylhexaneamine/MHA, a stimulant), following an In-Competition test on 14 April 2018, after a match between London Irish Wild Geese and Clifton RFC.

Mr Wells was charged with an ADRV pursuant to Article 21.2.1 of World Rugby’s Anti-Doping Rules – “Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in a Player’s Sample”.

UKAD Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “Every athlete must adhere to the principle of strict liability and must therefore take full responsibility for anything that enters their system.

“UKAD sends out clear messages about supplement use and the associated risks. Mr Wells claimed a contaminated supplement was to blame for the presence of the prohibited substances in his system, and although he was not able to prove it, this case highlights the importance of athletes being aware of the dangers of supplement use and the need to undertake the necessary checks in relation to those they choose to take.

“There can never be a guarantee that any supplement will be free from contamination and therefore, we always advise athletes to take a food-first approach to nutrition where possible.”

The period of ineligibility shall apply from the date of provisional suspension (18 May 2018) until midnight on 17 May 2022.

To read the full judgement, please click here.