Rugby union player handed three-year ban by RFU for Trafficking of Prohibited Substances
Rugby NewsMonday, 14 April 2025 at 16:16
Luke Sharpley’s rugby career has come to a screeching halt after he was slapped with a three-year ban from all sport for trafficking prohibited substances.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
The former player’s downfall began in 2023, when he was handed an 18-month prison sentence (suspended for 24 months) at Northampton Crown Court after being found guilty of dealing cocaine and cannabis.
Both of these drugs are on the banned list for athletes, and Sharpley’s involvement in their distribution led to anti-doping violations.
Following the court case, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) launched an investigation into Sharpley’s activities. After interviewing him, the agency issued a provisional suspension, with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) formally charging him for trafficking prohibited substances.
Sharpley didn’t contest the charges, and by admitting his violations within 20 days of the charge, he managed to reduce his ban from four years to three, as per the rules.
With the time spent under provisional suspension taken into account, Sharpley’s three-year ban will officially run from July 23, 2024, to July 22, 2027.
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28 England players on Andy Farrell's 75-man Lions watchlist
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that a
75-player longlist has been assembled ahead of the 2025 tour to Australia. The competition is fierce, with Farrell admitting there’s no shortage of talent vying for a spot.
Looseheads: Genge and Porter Set to Lead the Charge
Ireland’s Andrew Porter remains the front-runner to start in the No. 1 jersey after his impressive performances in recent seasons. Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman offers a powerful scrummaging option, while Wales’ Nicky Smith is a consistent performer. England is well-represented with Ellis Genge, Bevan Rodd, and rising star Fin Baxter pushing for inclusion.
- Andrew Porter (Ireland)
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
- Nicky Smith (Wales)
- Ellis Genge (England)
- Bevan Rodd (England)
- Fin Baxter (England)
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The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.
Hookers: Sheehan and George in Pole Position
Ireland’s Dan Sheehan has been a standout performer and looks a strong contender to start. His Leinster teammate Ronan Kelleher provides excellent cover, while England’s Jamie George and a returning Luke Cowan-Dickie bring plenty of Lions experience. Dewi Lake is Wales’ leading option.
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
- Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
- Jamie George (England)
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
- Dewi Lake (Wales)
Tightheads: Furlong Leads Strong Contingent
Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong is a near-certainty for the squad, while Finlay Bealham adds versatility. England’s trio of Will Stuart, Joe Heyes, and Kyle Sinckler offer plenty of competition. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson remains a reliable option.
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
- Will Stuart (England)
- Joe Heyes (England)
- Kyle Sinckler (England)
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Locks/Blindsides: Itoje and Beirne Among Favourites
Maro Itoje remains a key figure, with England also supplying George Martin, Ollie Chessum, and veteran Courtney Lawes. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan provide leadership, while Joe McCarthy and Iain Henderson add depth. Scotland’s Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist will compete for spots, while Dafydd Jenkins looks to be Wales’ strongest option.
- Maro Itoje (England)
- George Martin (England)
- Ollie Chessum (England)
- Courtney Lawes (England)
- David Ribbans (England)
- James Ryan (Ireland)
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
- Iain Henderson (Ireland)
- Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
- Scott Cummings (Scotland)
- Grant Gilchrist (Scotland)
Flankers/No. 8s: Doris and Earl Set to Shine
Ireland’s Caelan Doris is a top contender for the No. 8 jersey, while Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony add experience and breakdown prowess. England’s back-row options are loaded, with Tom Curry, Ben Earl, and Jack Willisoffering variety. Scotland’s Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie are strong candidates, while Wales’ Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright bring dynamism.
- Tom Curry (England)
- Ben Curry (England)
- Ben Earl (England)
- Sam Underhill (England)
- Henry Pollock (England)
- Jack Willis (England)
- Tom Willis (England)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland)
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
- Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
- Jack Conan (Ireland)
- Rory Darge (Scotland)
- Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
- Matt Fagerson (Scotland)
- Jack Dempsey (Scotland)
- Jac Morgan (Wales)
- Aaron Wainwright (Wales)
Scrum-Halves: Gibson-Park to Lead the Pack
Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park looks set to retain his spot after an impressive World Cup. England’s Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet will compete for backup roles, while Scotland’s Ben White and Wales’ Tomos Williams round out the options.
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
- Alex Mitchell (England)
- Jack van Poortvliet (England)
- Ben White (Scotland)
- Tomos Williams (Wales)
Fly-Halves: Farrell and Ford in the Mix, Russell a Wildcard
Owen Farrell’s leadership and experience keep him in contention, but England’s George Ford and Marcus Smith offer contrasting styles. Ireland’s Jack Crowley and rising star Sam Prendergast provide alternatives, while Scotland’s Finn Russell remains a game-changer.
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland)
- Jack Crowley (Ireland)
- Owen Farrell (England)
- Marcus Smith (England)
- Fin Smith (England)
- George Ford (England)
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Tom Jordan (Scotland)
Centres: Aki and Ringrose Set to Star
Ireland’s midfield pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose looks set to continue, with Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne adding depth. Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones bring attacking flair to the mix.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
- Huw Jones (Scotland)
Back Three: Lowe and Keenan Lead the Line
Ireland’s back three trio of James Lowe, Hugo Keenan, and Mack Hansen remain front-runners. Scotland’s Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe provide proven finishing power. England’s Elliot Daly and youngsters Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, and Tom Roebuck are pushing for spots.
- James Lowe (Ireland)
- Mack Hansen (Ireland)
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- Darcy Graham (Scotland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
- Tommy Freeman (England)
- Ollie Sleightholme (England)
- Tom Roebuck (England)
- Elliot Daly (England)
Nation Breakdown: Ireland Leads the Way
With a total of 75 players predicted to make the longlist, here’s a breakdown by nation:
- Ireland: 22 players
- England: 28 players
- Scotland: 14 players
- Wales: 11 players
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