Ross Bevan: Rugby player gets two-year drugs ban

South Wales Scorpions signed Ross Bevan in February 2015 but he has not played a competitive game for them

Rugby player Ross Bevan has been banned for two years after testing positive for the use of steroids.

The 22-year-old winger joined rugby league club South Wales Scorpions from union side Nelson in February.

UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) says Bevan tested positive for the banned substance Drostanolone following a test at a squad training session on 9 February.

Under new rules Bevan could have faced a four-year ban, but his offence took place before the change was made.

Ukad director of legal Graham Arthur said the case was "unusual" and that he received the two-year ban because of the "unique circumstances" surrounding the timing of the offence.

A statement said: "Although Mr Bevan was bound by the anti-doping rules of the Rugby Football League at the time of his test in February 2015, the independent National Anti-Doping Panel concluded that, because he used the steroids in 2014, he did not intend to breach the 2015 rules.

"He did not therefore have to serve a four-year ban.

"Whilst Mr Bevan is not deemed to have acted intentionally under the 2015 rules, it is very clear that he was at significant fault."

Bevan is a product of the Rugby League Champion Schools system, having turned out for Lewis Boys of Pengam.

But he was playing rugby union for Nelson in Swalec Division 1 East when he was spotted by Scorpions assistant coach Paul Emanuelli and signed for the League One club.