Former Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb has been handed a four-year ban by the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD). Webb, who joined second-tier French side Biarritz last summer, tested positive for human growth hormone (HGH) during a training session. Both his A and B samples confirmed the presence of HGH.
Webb will be ineligible to play until 2027, at which point he will be 38 years old. In response, Webb’s lawyer released a statement on social media, asserting that the sanction is not final and that an appeal has been lodged with the Conseil d’Etat to overturn the decision. Webb maintains his innocence, highlighting his clean disciplinary record throughout his professional career and denying any use of doping products, particularly growth hormone.
The statement also criticizes what Webb’s legal team considers “incompetencies” in the AFLD’s testing process. Biarritz has yet to comment on the situation.
Webb began his professional career with the Ospreys in 2007, making 154 appearances before moving to French giants Toulon in 2018. His departure from Wales made him a notable casualty of the Welsh Rugby Union’s previous 60-cap rule. He returned to the Ospreys in December 2019, eventually surpassing 200 appearances for the Welsh region.
Webb debuted for Wales in 2012, earning 40 caps before announcing his international retirement ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He was also part of the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, where he played in two Tests.
Credit: BBC Sport
