Cunningham in doping offence

Keiron Cunningham has been under a "great emotional burden"

The Rugby Football League has revealed that Keiron Cunningham was the player given a one-year suspended ban for failing a drugs test.

The Great Britain international's identity was originally withheld by the RFL when it announced the outcome of its latest round of drugs tests in May.

But it has now decided to name the high-profile Welshman "following clarification of outstanding matters".

Cunningham, who was also fined £2,500, was found guilty of having provided a sample containing traces of hormone substance HCG.

But he escaped a stiffer penalty after the Doping Control Panel, which is independent of the RFL, accepted there were "mitigating circumstances".

We are confident that he will re-establish himself as one of the leading players in the world Saints chief executive Sean McGuire

The RFL also revealed that Matt Calland, formerly of Huddersfield Giants, had received a six-month suspended ban for testing positive for nandrolone.

St Helens have moved quickly to register their backing of Cunningham, who missed the start of this season with a serious elbow injury.

Trio fail drugs tests

"This matter, along with the career threatening injury that Keiron suffered, has placed a great emotional burden on him for the last year," said Saints chief executive Sean McGuire.

"Keiron has shown immense mental and physical resolve in regaining fitness and rebuilding his rugby league career and we are confident that he will re-establish himself as one of the leading players in the world."