Sam Chalmers warning as doping ban nears end

YOUNG Scottish rugby player Sam Chalmers has warned of the dangers of taking supplements as he prepares to return to the game following a two-year doping ban.

Sam Chalmers: "Worst mistake". Picture: Ian Linton

The 21-year-old son of former Scotland and Lions stand-off Craig will be eligible to play again on 11 June and has spoken about “the worst mistake of my life”.

Chalmers tested positive for two anabolic steroids at a Scotland under-20 training session in May 2013. He said: “I took a supplement without looking what was in it as I thought it would help me put on weight which I had been really struggling to do. It was a very stupid decision I made and it came back to bite me. My family have given fantastic support to me. They were devastated for me at the time as they know how much rugby means to me.”

At the time of the ban, Sam’s father, Craig, who was capped 60 times by Scotland and was a member of the 1990 Grand Slam-winning team, said his son had made “a huge mistake” and “now faces the biggest challenge of his life”.

Currently living in Australia, the utility back hopes to play for Sydney club Southern Districts when his ban ends next month.