British & Irish Lion appeals against likely career ending ban in France
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Former Welsh international Rhys Webb has been handed a four-year suspension by the French Agency for the Fight Against Doping (AFLD) following a positive test for growth hormone last summer.
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Webb, who had recently signed with Olympic Biarritz, tested positive during a BOPB training session. The AFLD acted swiftly, provisionally suspending the scrum-half pending further investigation.
Subsequently, Webb requested a “B” sample analysis at the laboratory in Saclay, Essonne, which confirmed the presence of the banned substance.
Here is the document issued by the AFLD notifying the sanction received by Rhys Webb:
Rhys Webb has a ban on:
− to participate, in any capacity whatsoever, in a competition authorized or organized by an organization that is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code or one of its members, by a professional league or an organization responsible for non-signatory international or national events, by a sports federation, or giving rise to the award of prizes in cash or in kind
− to participate in any activity, including training, courses or exhibitions, authorized or organized by a signatory organization to the World Anti-Doping Code or one of its members, by a professional league or an organization responsible for non-signatory international or national events, or by a sports federation, a professional league or one of its members, unless these activities are part of recognized education or rehabilitation programs related to the fight against doping
− to exercise the functions of management staff or any administrative activity within a sports federation, a professional league, an organization signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code or one of their members, as well as those of sports educators defined in Article L. 212-1 of the Sports Code
− and to take part in any sporting activity involving athletes of national or international level and funded by a public person.
Rhys Webb's lawyer, Dominique Laplagne said “The sanction imposed on Rhys Webb is not final, and we have immediately instructed a lawyer at the Conseil d'Etat to lodge an appeal to overturn the AFLD's decision.
“In the meantime, Rhys wishes to reaffirm his innocence, pointing out that he has never undergone any other disciplinary procedure, of any kind, during his long career as a professional athlete and has never used any doping product, growth hormone in particular.”
Sam Warburton’s British & Irish Lions Starting XV in 2025
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Tommy Freeman
11. Duhan van der Merwe
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Sione Tuipulotu
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. George Martin
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Jac Morgan
8. Ben Earl
Danny Care selects his British & Irish Lions XV, picks the "best scrum-half"
In a Lions XV selection that's sure to spark some heated pub debates, Danny Care – yes, the man with over 100 caps for England – has handpicked his "best scrum-half" for next summer's tour to Australia.
Spoiler alert: it's not a Welshman. In fact, there's not a single Welsh player in the entire lineup! Care and fellow former England international Mark Atkinson have chosen a squad packed with English and Irish stars, leaving the Welsh out in the cold.
Tomos Williams Tease – The One Welshman Who Almost Made It
Williams was the only Welsh name brought up on Care’s Hits Different podcast, with Atkinson saying, "I've seen a big impact from him joining Gloucester. He's got 40-odd Wales caps [58 now], and if there's one Welsh player to make the tour, it's him." But even that wasn’t enough to earn him a place in their Lions XV.
Care, meanwhile, was clear in his verdict: Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park is “the best scrum-half” around, with Alex Mitchell close behind. Sorry, Tomos!
Smith vs Russell: English Flair Wins the 10 Battle
The surprises didn't stop there – Care and Atkinson picked England's Marcus Smith over Scotland’s Finn Russell at No. 10, while the midfield saw a bruising combination of Ireland's Bundee Aki and England's Ollie Lawrence.
Feyi-Waboso? Yes, Please!
Another shocker? The Cardiff-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made the wing, alongside Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe. And, to cap it all off, England's George Furbank took the full-back spot over Ireland’s Hugo Keenan.
Danny Care and Mark Atkinson's Lions XV:
15. George Furbank: An agile fullback known for his versatility and impressive kicking game, Furbank has made a name for himself with his ability to read the game and contribute in attack and defense.
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: A rising star in the rugby scene, Feyi-Waboso is recognized for his explosive speed and powerful running style, making him a significant threat on the wing.
13. Ollie Lawrence: A dynamic centre with a strong physical presence, Lawrence excels in breaking tackles and creating space for his teammates, contributing both defensively and offensively.
12. Bundee Aki: A seasoned centre known for his robust tackling and strong ball-carrying abilities, Aki brings experience and leadership to the midfield, often acting as a key playmaker.
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