Munster prop James Cronin has been handed a one-month ban by EPCR for a doping offence, after he was given the wrong prescription by a pharmacy.
The three-cap Ireland international tested positive for prednisolone and prednisone, both of which are banned substances, after the province's Champions Cup game against Racing Metro in November of last year.
Cronin had been feeling unwell in the buildup to the match and was given a prescription by a doctor, but was given the medication of another customer when he visited the pharmacy.
Independent judicial officer Antony Davies accepted Cronin's explanation of how he came into contact with the banned substances, but said the player had to take some responsibility.
The ban runs from April 15th to May 16th, meaning it will have little impact.
In a statement on their website, Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said:
This has been an extremely challenging time for James and the province, and we are glad it has reached its conclusion.
We have treated this matter with the utmost seriousness, and as always Munster Rugby and Irish Rugby are fully supportive of all Sporting Ireland, WADA and World Rugby anti-doping policies.
In protecting the integrity of our player, the organisation, and the sport, I can assure you that this unintentional anti-doping rule violation is as a result of exceptional circumstances due to a third-party dispensing error by a pharmacy.
Clearly the sanction is reflective of the strong mitigating factors in this case, and we look forward to James’ return to action.
