In September 2019 the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has reported two anti-doping rule violations against the rugby players Joseph Stafford and Rupert Kay.
- Joseph Stafford was charged for evading sample collection in February 2019.
- Rupert Kay was charged for complicity because he assisted Joseph Stafford to leave the training ground in order to avoid sample collection.
In the Consent Orders signed by the Parties in this case and approved by the National Anti-Doping Panel both Athletes admitted the violations, accepted the provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the RFU.
- Considering Joseph Stafford's prompt admission the RFU decides on 14 July 2020 to impose a 3 year and 6 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
- Considering Rubert Kay's admission and degree of fault the RFU decides on 14 July 2020 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete.
The period of ineligibility for both athletes start on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 16 July 2019.
