US American Football convert Aaron 'Spike' Davis banned for 4 years

A former NFL hopeful who turned his hand to professional rugby union has been banned after failing an anti-doping test.

Men’s Eagle Aaron “Spike” Davis was found in violation of World Rugby Regulation 21 Anti-Doping Policy.

Davis (6’4, 113kg) played on the wing in the now-defunct PRO Rugby competition, before being selected for the US Eagles, earning two caps.

Davis was tested in January 2017 under Out of Competition Doping Control carried out by USADA on behalf of World Rugby.

He tested positive for metabolites associated with various anabolic steroids. A report of the case says that the Davis was unaware of the difference in regulations between American Football and rugby and had failed to list several supplements which he had been taking, including pre-workout drinks aimed at rugby players.

Following an appeals process, the Post Hearing Review Body (PHRB) has upheld the original decision which renders Davis ineligible for a period of four years beginning March 17, 2017 (when he was notified of his results) and ending March 17, 2021.

Aaron ‘Spike’ Davis played Defensive End for the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (SMU) Div-I football team. Originally joining as a walk-on, Davis eventually earned a scholarship. After graduation, Davis was involved in mini camps for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins.

Davis decided to forgo a career in professional football and instead looked to rugby by joining Tiger Rugby, a member of the USA Rugby National Development Academy program. Davis was called in to train with both the Men’s Eagles Sevens during the 2015-16 season, and then with the Men’s Eagles prior to the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship.

In 2016, Davis signed with the Ohio Aviators of PRO Rugby North America and was the league’s top try scorer, playing Wing. Later in 2016, Davis signed with the Tasman Griffins in New Zealand.

In a statement, USA Rugby said that the organisation: “fully supports Regulation 21 and the Keep Rugby Clean initiative. Maintaining fair and clean competition is critical to uphold the integrity of the sport and promote its growth worldwide.”