Official Cas statement:

Castleford Tigers can confirm that it has now received notification that Zak Hardaker has tested positive for a banned substance following a Super 8s match against Leeds Rhinos on 8th September 2017.
The club was made aware at 10:00am on Thursday morning that the player would receive official written notification from UK Anti-Doping and therefore the player was immediately suspended. Official notification was delivered on Friday and following discussions with the player on Sunday the decision was taken to announce the result of the test today in order to clarify the circumstances around Zak's omission.

Zak Hardaker, said: “I would like to apologise to my Castleford Tigers teammates, the staff and all fans for my enormous error of judgment. I was given an opportunity by this great club and in what has been one of the most important weeks in its history, I have let everyone at the club down. For that, I truly apologise,"

"Finally, I would like to make it clear that in no way did I, nor would I, ever take a substance with the intention of enhancing my performance."

Castleford Tigers will be making no further comment until the outcome of the case has been determined.

A quick question to the experts here on the VT in the field of drugs and mental health issues (in particular the Wakey fans) - why has it taken so long to sentence Adam Walker ? His alleged misdemeanor was well before Zak's and the same time as Rangi Chase who has been handed a two year ban. What's the hold up ?

Of only he had the presence of mind to claim that he could not take the test because he thought that the water provided could have been tampered with.

Less quick-witted than Ryan Bailey? Gosh.

"in particular the Wakey fans" - oh aye, cause we are privy to each and every anti doping case. if you think we'd don't expect Adam Walker to get the same treatment whenever that it, you'd be wrong.

And unlike Cas fans, we don't excuse players when they make monumental stupid decisions of their own making.