Rugby League player Ryan Forshaw banned for three years

Rugby League player Ryan Forshaw has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for the Presence of two Prohibited Substances in his urine Sample.  

On 16 February 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Forshaw at a Rochdale Hornets training session. Analysis of Mr Forshaw's Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for 19-norandrosterone and metabolites of metandienone. 

19-norandrosterone and metandienone are both anabolic agents listed under S1.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List. Both of these non-Specified Prohibited Substances are banned at all times.  

On 6 May 2022, UKAD notified Mr Forshaw of the AAFs and issued him with a Provisional Suspension from sport.  

On 26 July 2022, UKAD charged Mr Forshaw with the commission of ADRVs for the Presence and Use of Prohibited Substances. On 15 August 2022, 20 days after receiving the Charge Letter, Mr Forshaw admitted the ADRVs and accepted the asserted period of Ineligibility. In accordance with ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Forshaw was able to reduce the four-year asserted period of Ineligibility to three-years.  

UKAD issued Mr Forshaw with a three-year ban, which is deemed to have commenced on 6 May 2022 and will expire at midnight on 5 May 2025.  

Speaking on the case, UKAD Director of Operations, Pat Myhill said: “Anabolic agents such as these are prohibited in sport at all times. Athletes are reminded under the principle of strict liability, that they are solely responsible for what goes into their bodies.  

Players who choose to use anabolic agents in sport, let their teammates down and put their health and career at serious risk.”