Two international rugby stars test positive for banned substances

The pair potentially face career-ending bans.

Two international rugby stars have tested positive for the use of banned substances, according to reports in French and South African media. Welsh scrum half Rhys Webb has been provisionally banned from club rugby in France, where he plies his trade for Biarritz, following his testing positive for the use of a growth hormone. Respected French sports outlet L'Equipe allege that the 34-year-old was flagged for the use of a synthetic growth hormone by the French Anti-Doping Agency. Webb faces a potential ban of up to four years should he be found guilty, a result which would almost certainly spell the end of the 40-test veteran's career. The former British and Irish Lion had been named in Wales' extended World Cup training squad, but pulled out following his decision to leave Welsh side Ospreys in favour of a move to Biarritz. [caption id="attachment_292012" align="alignnone" width="640"] Jantijes has made 46 appearances for the Springboks. (Credit: Getty Images)[/caption]

Springbok rugby star tests positive for bodybuilding drug:

Similarly, Springbok fly half Elton Jantijes has reportedly tested positive for the use of Clenbuterol, a drug typically used by bodybuilders for fat burning, according to South African outlet SuperSport. Like Webb, Jantijes had been included in his nation's provisional World Cup training squad, but failed to make the final cut when the Boks 33-man squad was announced. The 33-year-old fly half has released a statement on the matter, saying that he was informed by the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport that he had tested positive from a urine sample provided in June. Jantijes has asked for his B sample to be tested, with his wife claiming that the presence of Clenbuterol in his system was from a nasal spray he was using on holidays in Turkey for sinusitis. Concluding his statement, the Agen player said, "I have not and never will deliberately take a banned substance, and I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence." Related Articles:

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