Melrose's Sam Chalmers tests positive for banned substance

Melrose utility back Sam Chalmers has tested positive for a banned substance.

The 19-year-old student, the son of former Scotland international Craig, will appear before the International Rugby Board in midweek.

His case has already been considered by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

It follows a sample taken after Chalmers played for Scotland Under-20s against Ireland on 13 May, but neither the Scottish Rugby Union nor the IRB wished to comment on the case.

Chalmers was not involved as Melrose started their Premiership campaign on Saturday with a 30-13 win at home to Heriot's.

A spokesman for Scottish Rugby told BBC Scotland: "Under IRB protocol, we can neither confirm nor deny any case until the disciplinary process has been completed.

"We take a very clear stance on anti-doping and adopt a zero-tolerance policy on doping offences in Scotland."

An IRB spokesman also refused to comment, stressing that details of any case would only be issued at the closure of its process, including any appeal by a player against any decision.

Chalmers' father, the former British & Irish Lions fly-half, resigned as head coach of Melrose at the end of last season.

He had joined Oxfordshire club Chinnor as a coach in the summer but controversially switched to Esher, citing personal reasons.

Melrose have been full members of the SRU since 1880 and the club is known the world over for the introduction of seven-a-side rugby.

They play in the Scottish Premiership Division One, the country's top tier for the amateur game.