A club rugby player in Scotland has been suspended from the game for five months by the independent body UK Anti-Doping after returning an adverse analytical finding for a banned substance. However Neil Tunnah, 30, a hooker at Watsonians at the time of the violation in February, presented evidence to the anti-doping authorities that his use of the substance, ephedrine, was not performance enhancing – and that he had taken an over-the-counter supplement in an attempt to lose weight.

Some 264 tests have been conducted in the 2009-2010 rugby season in Scotland by UK Anti-Doping including in-competition, squad tests and out-of competition tests.  More than 150 of these were out-of-competition tests.  Testing has been conducted at club as well as representative level.  From these tests, one adverse analytical finding (the above) has been found.
 

The case serves as a salutary reminder to all players, irrespective of the level of the game at which they play, that they should seek medical advice before taking any such medication or supplement.
 
Dr James Robson, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Medical and Anti-Doping, said: “There is a very important education message here.  The advice we give to all players before taking any supplement or over-the-counter remedy is that they must seek medical advice.
 
“Supplements, such as a product to aid slimming, may be legal in terms of the law of the land and can be purchased over-the-counter at a chemist or supermarket, but not in terms of the laws of sport as they can contain substances which are prohibited under anti-doping rules. “

Colin Thomson, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Community Rugby, said: “We do encourage all players to heed the advice that is readily accessible on our website and if any club wishes to receive an anti-doping presentation similar to which Scottish Rugby carries out regularly for our representative and age-grade squads then we will welcome their request.

“Additionally we will be re-iterating the important education message that players should seek medical advice before taking any supplements in a communication to all clubs during the close-season.”
 
UK Anti-Doping concluded from its investigation that it was unlikely that the substance was used to enhance performance. However under the World Anti-Doping Code athletes are ultimately responsible for any prohibited substance found in their system.
 
UK Anti-Doping today reminded players to think very carefully before taking supplements – there is no guarantee that a supplement is free from prohibited substances.
 
Tunnah, a Scot, has accepted the findings of UK Anti-Doping and is now in employment in Australia.  His ban ends on July 20.
 
Ends
 
Notes to editors:   Information on Scottish Rugby’s anti-doping policies is available on www.scottishrugby.org/aboutus  then select anti-doping from the drop down menu.

More information on supplements is available on the UK Anti-Doping website at http://www.ukad.org.uk/pages/supplements/