Here we go...

So Wigan seem to want Gareth Hock back and have asked if he can start training before his drugs ban is expired. The RFL have said that they don't have a problem with it as long as a sport barrister says so.

So I thought I'd put a poll on here and see whether people thought he should be allowed to train with Wigan before his drugs ban expires.

I'd say yes as he has served his sentence and it's been allowed in other sports before but I fancy knowing what you guys think.

Please don't post anything ridiculous that will get this locked please guys as I am not trying to start a argument I just want to know opinions.

Should he feck. He should be excluded from returning to rugby league.

No, because technically he should be a free agent right? So he shouldn't be allowed to train with any club until his ban officially ends, then any team can offer him a contract - if they want him, that is.

If only he could have convinced the RL world that he had been given it unwillingly by a member of the medical team who wasn't qualified to do so!!

Shucks!

You'd have a point if he wasn't employed by the RFL at the time. No place for drug addicts in rugby league. No place at all.

Exactly. How are we supposed to bring our kids up to be fine upstanding citizens like Joel Monaghan, Leon Pryce, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Paul Cooke, Sean Long, Tevita Leo-Latu, Willie Mason, Stuart Reardon, Ben Cockayne and Setaimata Sa, When Gareth Hock secretly put a white powder up his nose?

I don't think he should have been banned for anywhere near as long as he was. A slap on the wrist, a fine and a few match ban from the club would suffice.

I think he should be allowed to train, dont have a problem with that,

However i do not agree that a slap on the wrist would suffice, RFL need to be strong and ban to send a message that drugs, recreational or otherwise will not be tolerated in our sport.

A ban is a ban, end of story.

No. Plain and simple. Two year ban, which included training with teammates as well as playing, should mean two years!!! No loopholes, no exceptions!!

I agree. Any ban from the sport should include training with any club for the duration of the ban

Yes he should. When someone goes to jail for 4 years, they don't do 4 years. By allowing him to train it is preparing him to resume his career, no problem for mine.

i dont see training with them as a problem! if he doesnt train with them hes going to train with other teams! no doubt he goes on the steads for the 2 years he got banned anyway lol

Its a slippery slope, the next idiot who does this will be permitted to train with his old club for the duration of his ban, showing younger players and fans that this sort of behaviour is acceptable and you dont really loose out even if you're caught

Wigan have a duty of care over Gaz Hock. There is no way that he would be able to play first team football the day after his ban expires, as he would not be fit enough and could suffer serious injury.

If he is not allowed to return before the ban expires, the ban is effectively 2 years, plus time to get match fit.

That is unfair IMO and means a harsher punishment for players of team sports compared with individuals