Trout's Month Out for Leigh Was a Cannabis Ban, UK Anti-Doping Reveals

England forward Owen Trout's month-long absence from Leigh Leopards matches last season was the result of a ban after he tested positive for cannabis, UK Anti-Doping has revealed. The 27-year-old, who will join NRL side Cronulla Sharks from the 2027 season, did not play for Leigh between May 16 and June 27, and the reason has only now come to light following a statement from UKAD. Trout returned an adverse finding after a test following a match against Super League champions Wakefield Trinity in late March. He was provisionally suspended on May 22 and admitted to smoking a joint and eating a cannabis gummy in the week leading up to the game against Wakefield. He was formally charged on July 20, but the ban was judged to have been served from May 22 to June 21, and he completed an approved substance-of-abuse treatment programme. Trout played 26 times in his final season for Leigh and has made one England appearance to date, against Australia last year. At the time of his absence, Leigh head coach Adrian Lam said only that the club was supporting the player and that there was no timeframe for his return, adding that he did not want to say too much else about the situation. The disclosure closes a mystery that had surrounded one of Super League's most eye-catching absences of the season.