The IRFU and Munster have released a statement.
Gerbrandt Grobler has been named on the Munster bench for their PRO14 clash with Zebre on Saturday evening.
The South African, who was hit with a two-year suspension after testing positive for drostanolone – an anabolic-androgenic steroid – during the 2014 Currie Cup, took over all airwaves, newspapers, websites, TV stations and social media in Ireland recently because he became fit and was ready to make his competitive debut.
That competitive debut may take place on Saturday evening.
Grobler was signed by the province a couple of months previous to this, and had played games for them – against Worcester in the preseason, and in a competitive game, for Munster ‘A’ against Nottingham.
“In relation to Gerbrandt Grobler’s selection for the province, Munster Rugby and the IRFU wish to reiterate that Gerbrandt, as a member of the Munster squad and living by our values, will continue to be considered for selection during his time with the province, once deemed fit.
While some hold the view that rugby should provide no road-back for those that have taken a banned substance in the past, it would not be within the spirit and values of rugby to turn its back on every person that ever made a bad decision, having made restitution.
Irish Rugby is recognised as operating one of the most stringent testing environments of any rugby nation with a zero tolerance approach to doping in the sport. The province and Irish Rugby are fully supportive of all WADA and World Rugby anti-doping policies.
Gerbrandt Grobler served a two-year ban from rugby and returned to play for Racing 92 in November 2016 as per the process set out by World Rugby.
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