Ashley Johnson will be free to kick-off Wasps' season after already serving the majority of his six-month ban for failing a drugs test.
The South African tested positive for banned substance hydrochlorothiazide on February 7, 2018 and was suspended by Wasps on April 20.
At a hearing conducted by the independent national anti-doping panel, the long-serving forward advised he mistakenly took his wife’s fat burner ‘the Secret’ rather than his own legitimate supplement ‘Nutrilean.’
Having considered various submissions, the hearing concluded that Johnson acted without intent.
It therefore found there was “no significant fault or negligence” on his part and decided six months to be an appropriate period of ineligibility.
Due to the player’s timely admission and his conduct during the investigation, it was deemed that the ban should be backdated to February 7, making him eligible again from August 6 2018.
Under World Rugby regulation 21.10.12.2 Johnson is permitted to fully resume training with his club with immediate effect.
Ashley Johnson apologises to everyone at Wasps
Fans' favourite Johnson apologised through a club statement.
It read: “I was horrified when I got the test results and once we tracked back and worked out I had inadvertently taken the wrong tablet.
“I completely accept that I am responsible for everything in my body. Drug use is not something I would ever condone, and from now on I will be extra vigilant at all times.
“I would like to thank my family and friends, everyone at Wasps, the RPA and our fans for their support through this difficult period and apologise unreservedly for what has happened.
“I am now working hard in pre-season and am looking forward to putting this behind me and getting back to being part of the Wasps squad.”
Wasps hooker 'an extremely honourable person'
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "We fully support the measures in place to keep rugby doping-free, and are grateful for the professionalism shown by everyone involved in this case.
“Ashley has been at Wasps since 2012 and in that time successfully completed countless anti-doping tests.
“He is an extremely honourable person who has made a one-off accidental error for which he has held his hands up, apologised and accepted the consequences.
“This situation has highlighted just how easily a player can make a mistake of this kind. We have therefore strongly reinforced to all our squad that they must always be on their guard and fully aware of exactly what they consume.
“The last few months have been doubly difficult for us all because a process had to be followed and that prevented Ashley or anyone at Wasps from providing updates.
“I know this has been hard for our supporters; I would like to thank them for their understanding and hope we can now all focus fully on the season ahead.”
Wasps 'provisionally suspended' Johnson ahead of RFU determination on matter
Back in April, Wasps released a statement regarding Johnson's failed drugs test.
It read: "The club is aware that a prohibited substance was reportedly found in an out-of-competition doping control sample provided by Ashley Johnson on February 7 2018.
"He has been provisionally suspended by the RFU pending final determination of the matter and is therefore currently unavailable for selection.
"Ashley is currently investigating the possible source of the substance and both he and the club are co-operating fully with the RFU in this respect.
"We are fully supportive of him in this process but are unable to comment any further at this stage due to the confidentiality of legal proceedings."
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Tom Cruse to the fore as Wasps suffered double hooker blow
Johnson's last game in a Wasps shirt was against London Irish on March 4.
An ankle injury initially ruled out the South Africa, who went on to miss games against Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints, Newcastle Falcons and the play-off semi-final with Saracens.
Tommy Taylor's return from a long-term knee injury and then a neck issue saw him only make three substitute appearances and one start in the end-of-season run-in.
A fresh knee issue for Taylor ruled the former Sharks hooker out of the Saracens semi-final, prompting Dai Young to select TJ Harris on the bench. He made his Premiership debut as a second-half substitute as Wasps lost 57-33 at Allianz Park.
The shortage of senior hookers forced Tom Cruse into numerous 80-minute shifts in Wasps' second-half of the season. The former London Irish man went on to earn the club's Players' Player of the Year award.
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