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Matthew Shaw

Rob Burrow furious at 'rubbish' allegations of drug use in rugby league

Rob Burrow hits back at claims of drug use in rugby league

Rugby league and Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow has slammed claims made by two former professional players that performance-enhancing drug abuse is rife in rugby league.

Jamie Acton and Oliver Wilkes conducted interviews with ITV in which they divulged into alleged drug abuse within the sport.

Acton has previously stated that players were 'abnormal' if they didn't use drugs, while Wilkes added fuel to the fire when he said: “You knew someone was using something and you knew you were as good as them but they were getting picked so you would think to yourself is that what I have to do to get in the team? Do I have to take something?”

He continued: “I remember being at a club and a guy jumped in the back of my car for a lift between training sessions and he just jabbed a needle in his arm.”

But this has been met by anger by players both past and present.

Sam Tomkins, the reigning Man of Steel, has been vocal about the matter on social media, saying: "The comments made by the 2 retired players would lead you to believe there is a problem with performance-enhancing drugs in our sport. That is not true."

He subsequently added that he had never known a teammate take performance-enhancing drugs.

That prompted a response from Burrow, who was also keen to rubbish the comments.

Heading to Twitter, Burrow said: "What a load of rubbish. I never played with anyone on drugs."

Further players currently active in the game are expected to speak out shortly after being infuriated by the claims made by both Wilkes and Acton.

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