Jones Banned For Three Months

The Tribunal consisted of Roy Manock (England, Chairman), Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and Michael Dickinson (England). The test showed an estimated concentration of 450ng/mL of the prohibited substance Salbutamol. The Tribunal accepted that the player is asthmatic and medically needs Salbutamol.

But the player was guilty of inadvertently failing to disclose the medical need to use Salbutamol on the Player Consent Form to ERC before the tournament started. The panel also noted that the player's club had not given the player sufficient guidance and help.

Mr Paul Jones was banned for three months running from 29 July, 2003, to 29 October, 2003, and ordered to pay the costs of the hearing.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Independent Judicial Tribunal must consist of three members. i) A senior legal practitioner, who shall act as Chairman. ii) A senior medical practitioner with knowledge of doping in sport and the IOC anti-doping code. iii) An eminent former rugby player or rugby administrator.

2. ERC in the season 2002/2003 ran a drug testing programme at between 20-25% of its games.

3. ERC uses the internationally renowned, Swedish-based sample gathering agency, IDTM, to conduct its tests.

4. All tests carried out are done on a random basis with two players from each side being asked to supply samples.

5. Mr Jones' samples were tested at an IOC-accredited laboratory in Kreischa, Germany.

6. At the beginning of each season the players registered by every team in ERC tournaments are required to sign a consent form in which they confirm they understand the drug testing procedures undertaken in the tournaments and agree to partake in the Anti-Doping programme.

7. ERC carries out an anti-doping programme to ensure a level playing field in sport, to protect player welfare and to support the IRB strategy on anti-doping.