Perry who plays for Rhydyfelin, who play in the Rhondda & East Glamorgan district, Mid District C and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blue tested positive for prohibited substances boldenone and a metabolite of boldenone – 5β-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one.

It followed an in-competition test after a match against Beddau RFC on November 24 last year. 

Perry has been banned retrospectively from that date, with the period of ineligibility running until midnight on November 23 in 2022. 

In July, Scotland's Craig Russell became the 30th rugby player to receive a ban in Britain, with 18 rugby union and 12 rugby league players serving bans.

The number of cases raised concern for the use of drugs in the sport, especially in the lower leagues.

"Athletes at all levels of sport have an obligation to be aware of the rules and their responsibilities when it comes to anti-doping," UKAD director of Operations Pat Myhill said.

"In many cases, substances are banned not only for their performance-enhancing effects, but equally due to the risks they pose to human health. 

"Boldenone is marketed as a veterinary drug, not intended for human consumption and therefore cases such as that of Mr Perry are hugely concerning."

Perry was charged with an anti-doping rule violation pursuant to article 2.1 of the anti-doping rules – presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample.

Boldenone is listed under section S1.1(b) of the World Anti-Doping Agency 2018 prohibited list as an endogenous anabolic androgenic steroid when administered exogenously. 

It is a non-specified substance, prohibited at all times.