Thursday 5 November 2026 16:15, UK

England forward Owen Trout's one-month absence from Leigh Leopards matches last season was due to a ban after testing positive for cannabis.

The 27-year-old, who will join NRL side Cronulla Sharks from the 2027 season onwards, did not play for Leigh from May 16 to June 27 and the reason has now come to light following a statement from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).

Trout returned an adverse finding following a test after a match against Super League champions Wakefield Trinity in late March.

The Yorkshireman 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.

Trout - who made his sole England appearance to date against Australia last year - was formally charged on July 20 but the ban was adjudged to have been served from May 22 to June 21.

Trout completed an approved 'substance of abuse' treatment programme.

He played 26 times in his final season for Leigh.

Leopards head coach Adrian Lam, speaking in June about Trout's absence, had said: "As a club, the general comment is we're making sure he's okay and that everything involved with him is at a level where we're coping.

"We're just looking after him. There's not really a timeframe [for his return], it's just on a week-to-week basis.

"I don't want to say too much else about that, as a club we're supporting him through this process and making sure he's got everything he needs."