West Wales forward handed four year drugs ban

West Wales back-rower Morgan Jefferies has been suspended for four years for anti-doping offences.

Jefferies, 23, played for Wales in the 2018 Commonwealth Championships and has been with the Raiders since 2014.

He tested positive for two prohibited substances, including a metabolite of cocaine, following the game against London Skolars in February.

UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said: “It is always concerning when an athlete is found to have a prohibited substance in their system, but when more than one substance is found, or substances are found on multiple occasions, it is of particular alarm.”

Jefferies will be banned until February 2023.

Raiders CEO Peter Tiffin said: “Morgan has been with us since the beginning of the club back in 2014 so it was a shock to us to find out that he had been found guilty of using prohibited drugs whilst under contract with the Raiders.

“We are still in contact with Morgan and his family to make sure he has the appropriate support through this tough time for him whilst still being disappointed as a club of his actions.

“We are as always in full contact with the RFL and fully support the decision as Morgan and any other player who is found guilty of using drugs whilst under contract should be reprimanded for their decisions.”

Jefferies played six times for West Wales in 2019, the last against Keighley at the start of April.