VIKINGS star Jamie Durbin has been suspended for two years after failing a drugs test.
The 21-year-old Widnesian was found with the banned anabolic steroid Stanozol in his system following a test in March.
At a meeting of the Rugby Football League's advisory panel in Leeds on Monday, Durbin was one of three players foud guilty of breaching its Doping Control Regulations.
In a statement released by Widnes Vikings, head coach Steve McCormack said the young scrumhalf had made a simple mistake that had cost him dear.
"The club has strong views on the subject of drugs and does a lot of work in the community advising young people of the danger drugs can cause whether they be recreational or performance enhancing," he said.
"Jamie has made a mistake, as anyone can do, and will now be out of the game for two years as a result."
Performance-enhancing Stanozolo appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned anabolic androgenic steroids that are 'exogenous' i.e. 'substances which are not ordinarily capable of being produced by the body naturally'.
Athletes are banned from taking such drugs both in and out of competition and the RFL, which lists anabolic agents as prohibited substances, lays the responsibilty of knowing what is in their bodies firmly at players' feet.
Although Durbin, who signed a season-long deal with Widnes on February 21 this year, failed the random test by doping control officers in March, the club's statement doesn't make it clear whether this was after a game, training or at the player's home.
However it does clearly state that Durbin took the steroid, which can remain in the system for a considerable period, before he signed for the club.
"Although Jamie took the product prior to signing for the Vikings we acted accordingly once he informed us of his failed test," McCormack said.
Explaining the club's tight-lipped approach during months of rumour about Durbin's disappearance from the squad during an injury crisis, he added: "We had to wait for the RFL's procedures to run their course before making any official comment."
Durbin signed from Doncaster and featured briefly for Warrington Wolves in August 2003 having previously spent time on loan at both Widnes and Rochdale during Super League X.
Also suspended as a result of Monday's hearing are Calvin Watson of Hunslet Hawks for one year after tests at a game against Doncaster on March 13 and Gareth Brian for two years following tests at a training session.
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