Warrington Wolves winger Josh Lynch has been banned for 16 months for use of a prohibited substance.
The 21-year-old was tested by UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) in December 2023 during a training session with the sample returning a ‘adverse analytical finding’ (AAF) for the growth hormone ibutamoren, which is prohibited in sport.
Lynch has been out of action after Ukad imposed a provisional suspension in February 2024.
His ban will include the time he has spent on the sidelines, meaning he will now be available for selection from June.
After his provisional suspension, Lynch accepted he had violated anti-doping rules but wished to challenge his sanction, having denied that he knowingly or intentionally used ibutamoren.
Ukad then charged Lynch and in response he said he ingested the substance accidentally, having used a blender to prepare a protein shake. He added that a friend had previously used the blender to prepare their own protein shake which contained ibutamoren.
Having instructed a scientific expert to analyse Lynch’s account, they concluded that the explanation was plausible, saying that had he been a regular user of the substance, it would have appeared in a further sample given in January 2024.
The matter was referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) for a hearing in December 2024, during which Lynch and his friend gave evidence and were cross-examined by Ukad.
In a decision issued in January, the NADP accepted Lynch’s account and ruled he had not acted with intent, imposing a 16-month ban.
