England forward Gareth Hock has tested positive for cocaine, his club Wigan said on Tuesday.

"Wigan Rugby League Club yesterday received formal confirmation from UK Sport and the RFL that player Gareth Hock has tested positive for a prohibited substance," the club said in a statement.

"The presence of Benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) was discovered in the A Sample Test taken at the Wigan game against Salford City Reds on 5th June 2009."

Wigan added: "Pursuant to Article 7.2.3. of the Anti-Doping rules of the RFL, Gareth has been charged with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and his Registration has been Provisionally Suspended by the RFL awaiting the B Sample Test on June 30th."

In the meantime Hock is suspended and faces a ban if the B sample comes back positive.

Wigan said they were made aware of the positive test on Monday and said the club "joins with the RFL and UK Sport in deploring and condemning the use of drugs in sport including so-called recreational drugs".

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP