The 27-year-old lock has been suspended for two years following an out-of-competition test on September 20.

A hearing heard that Normandale took clomiphene in April 2018 as he wanted to improve his physique before proposing to his girlfriend during a trip to Australia.

He said that a friend has recommended the drug as a way of increasing testosterone. 

Normandale said that at this time he thought his rugby career was over after he suffered a serious ankle injury in November 2017, which led to his contract with Cardiff RFC being terminated.

However, he was then contacted by Cardiff in August about the possibility of returning to the sport.

The hearing heard that the English player had looked up clomiphene on the internet before playing again and believed the retention time in the human body was 11 weeks.

"Athletes at all levels of sport must adhere to the principle of strict liability at all times," said UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead.

"Image and performance enhancing drugs can remain in the body for a significant period of time so, regardless of whether an athlete is going through injury rehabilitation, taking a break from sport or actively competing, they must always be aware of the consequences of any substances they are putting into their systems."

Normandale's ban will expire on September 19, 2020.

There are now more than 30 rugby players serving bans in Britain, where the sport is battling a drugs problem that is a particular issue at grassroots level.

The full verdict can be read here.