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Pro D2 hooker banned by the French Anti-Doping Agency - report

(Photo by Craig Watson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Colomiers hooker Youssef Saaidia has been temporarily suspended by the French Anti-Doping Agency ahead of the start of the new 2022/23 Pro D2 season. The 27-year-old had featured in tier-two matches for his club over the past seven seasons and he played 16 times in 2021/22, scoring six tries. 

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However, Saaidia is now risking a two-year suspension after it was reported by La Depeche on Saturday that he has not had any contact with the club since the beginning of July after he was found to have used a prohibited substance in a doping test that was conducted following the Colomiers playoff versus Oyonnax on May 20. 

The report suggests that Saaidia didn’t pay attention to the composition of a food supplement and he has been suspended as a precaution ahead of the final decision from the French Anti-Doping Agency within the next six months.   

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Beaten 19-15 in their playoff by Oyonnax, Colomiers have moved quickly to fill the gap left by the suspension of Saaidia, a starter in eleven of their league games last season. La Depeche have reported that Andrew Ready, a 29-year-old hooker from the Western Force, will soon be unveiled on a two-year deal. 

The Australian, who was stood down for an early-season game following a boozy flight from Melbourne, featured on 13 occasions for the Force in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific, starting six games and scoring four tries. 

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Promotion-chasing Colomiers finished last season in sixth place, winning 18 of their 30 regular season second-tier games. They will begin their new campaign at home to Carcassonne on August 26.

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H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

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