The Welshman, who was registered with Merthyr Tydfil-based South Wales Ironmen, was previously banned for two years in 2015 after testing positive for the anabolic androgenic steroid drostanolone and a metabolite of drostanolone.

It came on the back of an out-of-competition squad test on February 9 of that year.

A statement from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) claims a doping control officer attempted to collect a sample from Bevan at his home address on September 28, 2016, but the player refused to provide one.

He was subsequently charged with an ADRV pursuant to Article 2.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code - "Evading, Refusing, or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection".

Although Bevan admitted the charge, he also sought a reduction in the period of ineligibility under Article 10.6.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code - "Prompt Admission of an ADRV".

The reduction was agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the player’s sanction was later reduced by a period of nine months.

Bevan filed an appeal against the decision, but it was rejected by an independent National Anti-Doping Panel and he was subsequently banned for seven years and three months.

He is therefore banned from October 14, 2016 until midnight on January 14, 2024.

"Any athlete who is currently banned remains subject to testing in order to limit the chances of them continuing to use performance enhancing substances whilst banned and then returning to sport," Pat Myhill, UKAD’s director of operations, said.

"Therefore, it is of vital importance that they make themselves available to us when called upon.

"Mr Bevan’s refusal to submit to sample collection whilst already serving a period of ineligibility is not only a second serious breach of the anti-doping rules, but also his core responsibilities as an athlete.

"We treat violations such as this with the utmost seriousness and would implore athletes of all levels to comply or potentially face a lengthy ban from all sport."

South Wales Ironmen signed Bevan in February 2015, when the semi-professional club was known as South Wales Scorpions.

Rugby in Great Britain has been plagued by doping problems in recent times, across both the league and union codes.

In September of last year, English rugby league player Lee Mapals was banned for four years for testing positive for illegal steroids.