Zak Hardaker’s career hangs in the balance after he was provisionally suspended following a positive test for cocaine.
The Castleford Tigers star was dropped from his club’s squad for Saturday’s Grand Final and will not be included in the England World Cup squad, which is to be announced at 12pm on Monday.
Hardaker, 25, failed a test after a Super 8s game against his former club Leeds, who bat Castleford 24-6 in the Grand Final, on September 8.
Zak Hardaker was one of three nominations for Super League’s Man of Steel award
The 25-year-old could be suspended for two years as a result of his positive test for cocaine
He now faces a two-year ban and, in a statement released by the Tigers this morning, said sorry for his actions.
‘I would like to apologise to my Castleford Tigers teammates, the staff and all fans for my enormous error of judgment,’ Hardaker said. ‘I was given an opportunity by this great club and in what has been one of the most important weeks in its history, I have let everyone at the club down. For that, I truly apologise.
‘Finally, I would like to make it clear that in no way did I, nor would I, ever take a substance with the intention of enhancing my performance.’
Hardaker scored 13 tries in 30 matches as the Tigers ran away with the League Leaders shield and was a key figure in their march to a first ever Super League finale.
Hardaker’s failed test came after a Super 8s game against Leeds, his former club in September
England international Hardaker did not face Leeds following a ‘breach of club rules’
He was a shoe-in for the England squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Australia.
However, Sportsmail understands that news of the failed test was passed on to the Tigers on Thursday.
They released a brief statement saying that the player had been dropped from their squad for the Old Trafford clash thanks to a ‘breach of clubs’ but refused to elaborate further.
Without Hardaker, favourites Castleford put in a poor performance and were comfortably beaten by their West Yorkshire rivals.
Coach Daryl Powell described the saga as ‘a big distraction’ to his preparations for the match.
A Rugby Football League spokesman said: ‘The RFL can confirm that Zak Hardaker is provisionally suspended from all competition after it received notification from UK Anti-Doping that he had tested positive for a banned substance. ‘He will therefore not be considered for the England Rugby League World Cup squad due to be announced on Monday at 12:00 BST.
Castleford Tigers’ Hardaker has apologised to team-mates, staff and fans after his suspension
The RFL will make no further comment until the outcome of the case has been determined
‘The RFL will be making no further comment until the outcome of the case has been determined.’ Hardaker was at Leeds for six years before his £150,000 move in June.
He won three Grand Finals at Headingley and picked up the 2015 Man of Steel prize for the sport’s player of the year.
However, his career has been marred by off-the-field issues.
He missed out on the 2013 World Cup squad after a breach of team discipline and was fined by Leeds after he ‘acted unprofessionally’.
In 2015, he was sent on an anger management course following an assault on a man at a halls of residence in Leeds.
Hardaker’s case will be dealt with by UK Anti-Doping.