Player suspended over drug test

Mr Barnard said he would be late for a dinner date

A Lancashire rugby player has been suspended after refusing to take part in an official drugs test after a match.

Andre Barnard of Fylde Rugby Club said he refused the test because he did not have the time and would be late for a dinner date.

The sport's official body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has contacted the club to say Mr Barnard will face a disciplinary hearing in the near future.

Mr Barnard, originally from South Africa, refused the test after playing in Fylde's national two league match with Bracknell on 4 January.

Internal disciplinary

He was suspended with immediate effect, after the club convened an internal disciplinary hearing on Saturday.

It is understood the 32-year-old refused to give RFU officials a urine sample after being told the test would take 45 minutes.

He told the officials all his previous drug tests had been negative, before leaving.

His reinstatement to the club is now dependent on the outcome of the RFU disciplinary hearing.