Rhinos duo cop drug use fine

Leeds Rhinos duo Keith Senior and Ryan Bailey have been fined almost $4,000 by the English Rugby Football League after testing positive for the banned drug ephedrine.

The pair - both Great Britain internationals - along with Steve Rutherford of Gateshead Thunder, were found guilty of breaching the sport's doping control regulations.

All three had declared their use of the substance prior to testing and the RFL accepted that the drug was not taken for the purposes of enhancing performance.

The ephedrine was in fact used to aid treatment of illness in each case, however the failed tests have brought the issue of drugs in league back into the spotlight.

While the positive tests follow the reprimand of Halifax's Dane Dorahy for steroid use in 2003 and teammate Martin Moana receiving a 28-day ban after testing positive for ephedrine, RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis believes it is not a big problem.

"These cases do not represent a widespread problem in rugby league," he told League Correspondent.

"But we do feel it is important to clarify issues relating to ephedrine so that all players and relevant personnel have the maximum amount of information."

While Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "The RFL has dealt with this matter thoroughly and professionally, and there are clear lessons to be learned for all."

"Leeds have an excellent record of awareness of drugs and doping control issues and will support any new education and information initiatives which the RFL seeks to introduce."