Ex-Warrington Wolves winger handed 16-month ban after drugs test

A former Warrington Wolves winger has been handed a 16-month ban after failing a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) test.

Josh Lynch, who left Warrington at the end of the 2024 season after the club decided not to take up the option on his contract, has been banned for 16 months for the use of a prohibited substance.

That charge relates to an adverse finding in a test taken in December 2023. He was then tested again in January 2024 but that sample did not find an adverse finding, but the winger was provisionally suspended in early February.

It was found that Lynch had tested positive for ibutamoren, which is a growth hormone not approved for human use and banned in sports.

Lynch debuted for Warrington Wolves in 2022 as he scored against Huddersfield Giants but that marked his only appearance for Wire with the youngster then loaned out to North Wales Crusaders.

His positive test did come whilst training in pre-season with Warrington ahead of the 2024 season, during which he played no games after being provisionally suspended.

Ex-Warrington Wolves winger handed 16-month ban after drugs test

Lynch was notified that he had committed an Anti-Doping Rule violation for using a prohibited substance, leading to his provisional suspension, but the Warrington Wolves man responded to the charge by confirming that he had “consumed a protein shake that had been prepared in a blender.

That was a blender that he was unaware had “previously been used by a friend to prepare a protein shake containing ibutamoren. Lynch also confirmed that he was unaware of his friend’s use of ibutamoren.

An independent scientific expert verified Lynch’s account and confirmed that an adverse finding would have likely been found in the January 2024 test had Lynch been a regular user of ibutamoren.

The case was referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP) and heard in December 2024 with a decision issues on 16th January 2025 that Lynch had not acted with intent.

Because of the fact that Lynch had not acted with intent, a 16-month ban was handed down but the time that he has spent provisionally suspended has been accounted for meaning that his ban will be lifted for the 2nd of June this year.