Rugby's governing body says United States winger James
Paterson has been banned for four months after testing
positive for a banned painkiller at the Rugby World Cup.
The International Rugby Board says Paterson will be able to
play again on Feb. 13 after he was provisionally suspended on
October 13 for testing positive for oxycodone.
The IRB says on its website that Paterson injured his
shoulder earlier in the tournament and took the painkiller to
play in his team's last pool match.
IRB Anti-Doping Manager Tim Ricketts says "the main message
to come from this error is that all medical personnel and
players must be diligent in checking all medications."
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