Canadian prop Liam Murray has been issued a three-year suspension from World Rugby for violation of their anti-doping regulations. The 27-year-old tested positive for three prohibited substances after providing urine samples during the July test window. As a result he has been banned from all competition until August 13, 2027.
According to World Rugby’s judicial decision, Murray tested positive for metabolites of ligandrol and cardarine, both considered performance enhancing, as well as cannabis. The latter remains on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list despite being legal in Canada since 2018. It was recently removed from the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s prohibited list.
The ruling notes that Murray did not have a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for any of the substances, and a B Sample was not requested by the player. Murray waived his right to a hearing by admitting the violations and accepting a one-year reduction to his initial four-year sanction.
A regular with the Canadian senior men’s test side, Murray had won 10 caps as a loosehead prop since his 2021 debut. He started against both Scotland and Romania in July. Murray was also a regular starter with the Dallas Jackals for the past three Major League Rugby campaigns.