Lowes tackles drug issue

But the Bulls veteran did say that the use of performance-enhancing drugs was not widespread in rugby league.

In a week where two players have been banned by the RFL for the use of banned substances, Lowes spoke out about the problem, which he believes is worse in other, higher-profile sports.

"There is nothing you can do about drugs in sport," said Lowes, a professional in the game for 16 years.

"They are rife in all sports and they are here to stay. The greater the rewards, the greater the incentive is to cheat.

"The bigger the sport, the bigger the financial rewards, the higher profile and so on - and that is why people do it.

"Rugby league is more honest maybe than other sports."

Lowes revealed that at his previous clubs there had been some recreational smoking of cannabis, although he confirmed nothing like that had happened at the Bulls.

The former Man of Steel also said that if players were going to get caught, they should accept their punishments.

"If you are going to do it, you have to accept you might get caught and be punished," he continued.

"There is no point in trying to pretend that it was an accident or you have taken a cough medicine or something like that.

"We all have a responsibility to check that we don't take anything banned. There is a list (of banned substances) and you have to respect that.

"If you need to take something then check it out with the doc first."

London's Dominic Peters and Halifax's Martin Moana were both hit with bans of 12 months and 28 days respectively while a third player, who received a suspended sentence, has remained un-named.

The RFL decision not to name this player, but to name the other two, has caused some controversy and a number of Bulls have been angered by the decision.

The player's anonymity has led to speculation that it could be a big name from one of the top clubs - and the Telegraph & Argus understands that it is a high-profile player although definitely not a member of the Bradford squad.