No lifetime ban but Gerbrandt Grobler getting ‘lifetime of criticism’

Rugby Players Ireland has stressed its commitment to supporting Gerbrandt Grobler through the current furore surrounding his served two-year suspension for doping.

The Munster lock’s past, which saw the South African banned from rugby after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in 2014 whilst playing for Western Province, has returned to haunt the now 25-year-old, whose transfer to the Irish province from Racing 92 last July was sanctioned by the IRFU.

In the face of fierce criticism of that decision, Munster defended signing Grobler on a one-year contract and, along with head coach Johann van Graan and captain Peter O’’Mahony, who is an RPI board member, have supported the player’s right to rebuild his career post-suspension.