Here's a question:

I know that Wigan are not allowed to have anything to do with Gareth in rugby terms for the duration of his ban.
i.e. Gaz can't train with the squad, be paid at all, etc.

However - Is Mark Bitcon allowed to give him a training plan?
Also, is Mike Maguire allowed to give him alist of things to work on whilst he's out of the game?

I would hope that we can still pass information/guidance to Gareth that will allow him the best chance of returning to the game (even if not to Wigan) at the end of his ban.
Otherwise, the ban could be removing more than the 2 years that it is supposed to - It could be completely removing a persons ability to earn a living in their chosen profession.

Hope it doesn't smell to much then

Good points, but what I'm asking is whether any provision is made for the banned player to have an "official" training regime provided by the club, all legally and above-board.

Or would any banned player be forced to pursue "under-handed" tactics to keep himself in a position to earn a living after his ban?

dont know but im sure there no law against anyone hiring bitcon on a personal basis, im sure if i gave him £150 for a routine there would be nothing to stop him doing it, as long as he declared it for tax purposes of course!

I know loads of people who do "private" work so cant see there being a problem here

I doubt he'll be able to do any officially organised training but I doubt there will be much difference in what he does to what the team does.

As I said before the RFL are powerless to stop Hock’s movements nor can they stop who he sees and talks to. For example what can the RFL do if Lockers invites Hock round for a beer on a Saturday night or Hock attends a BBQ at the house of a Wigan player that Bitcom or MM are at?

If the club do sign Hock up then I’m 100% convinced he’ll be following a club based programme from the day he puts his signature on the dotted line.

Bitcom will get him fit and Hock’s age and talent are such that I expect him to slip easily back into SL when he returns.

i think it would be foolish of people to think that wigan are having no involvment in the way hock is training right now. If wigan are to re sign him they will be having a big influence in what he is doing

Agreed.

I'm more interested in how "the law" (by which I mean both the RFL and WADA rules) allow players to maintain their ability to perform in their chosen profession after serving the required ban.

It would be nice if anyone with any knowledge of WADA/RFL rules or pointers to official documents could point me in the right direction.

I don't even know why I ant to clarify this point?
Probably just personal noseyness.