FORMER RGC skipper Maredydd Francis has been suspended for a total of four years after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.

The talented forward has played a huge part in the Gogs’ incredible rise to prominence, and led the side to the Principality Premiership and their first WRU National Cup following a memorable occasion at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Things have now taken a sour turn for Francis, who tested positive for a “cocktail” of drugs including nandrolone and testosterone following their clash against Aberavon in March.

He has been banned from all sport until March 2022, and the 24-year-old has accepted the punishment and will not be appealing the decision.

Francis made more than 100 appearances for Mark Jones’ men and was considered a huge part of the set-up before the positive test.

Nicole Sapstead, UK Anti-Doping chief executive, said: "This is one of several cases we have seen recently in which the athlete is guilty not only of taking a performance enhancing drug, but a number of banned substances.

"Athletes must be aware that taking such a cocktail of performance enhancing drugs will not only see them banned from sport, but also has the potential to be hugely damaging to health.

"We hope such instances serve as a warning to others."

The UKAD stated in their final judgement that Francis recently undertook education sessions in relation to anti-doping sessions with the Welsh Rugby Union in 2015, adding that the degree of fault was “high”.

Francis becomes the eighth rugby player throughout the country that is currently serving a ban in relation to doping.