Wasps’ Ashley Johnson has been suspended for six months after receiving a ban for a failed drugs test but will still be available for the first game of the season.
Johnson, 32, tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide in an out-of-competition test.
The South African’s urine sample returned the Adverse Analytical Finding on February 7, with his ban being backdated to that specific point in time.
He convinced an independent panel that he mistakenly took his wife’s dietary supplement before failing the test.
“I was horrified when I got the test results and once we tracked back and worked out I had inadvertently taken the wrong tablet,” Johnson said.
“I completely accept that I am responsible for everything in my body.”
Despite the ban, Johnson will be free to resume playing from 7 August with Wasps first Premiership fixture of the season coming against Worcester Warriors on September 1.
A statement from Wasps read: “At a hearing conducted by the independent national anti-doping panel, [Johnson] advised he mistakenly took his wife’s fat burner ‘the Secret’ rather than his own legitimate supplement ‘Nutrilean’.
“Under World Rugby regulations, Johnson is permitted to fully resume training with his club with immediate effect.”