Andrew Higgins, Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett were all banned for missing drugs tests © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Alex Crockett | Andrew Higgins | Michael Lipman

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: Bath Rugby

Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett will appeal their respective nine-month bans for missing drug tests but Andrew Higgins has announced his retirement from rugby.

All three were suspended from the game until February of next year for failing to undertake drug tests as part of former club Bath's enquiry into allegations of misconduct by its players during an end-of-season party in London in May.

Lipman and Crockett have now decided to challenge their bans.

The players' solicitor Richard Mallett said: "Former Bath players Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett have today appealed against the decision of the disciplinary panel on August 3, 2009.

"The RFU disciplinary panel found Mr Michael Lipman and Mr Alex Crockett guilty of failing and/or refusing to submit to internal drugs tests without reasonable cause on two occasions on May 13 and May 14 and that this constituted conduct which was prejudicial to the interests of the game, contrary to RFU rule 5.12.

"Although on the first day of the four day hearing Mr Lipman and Mr Crockett were completely exonerated of any drug-taking the players were, nevertheless, suspended from playing rugby for nine months from June 2 to February 28 2010.

"The appeal has been lodged with the RFU against both the finding of fact and the sanction imposed."

Higgins, though, has quit the sport at the age of 28 after being left "deeply frustrated and totally frustrated" by the whole affair.

In a statement issued via Mallett, Higgins said: "Despite the fact that on the first day of the four day hearing myself, Michael and Alex were all completely exonerated of any drug taking the RFU Disciplinary Panel on the August 3 went on to find us guilty of failing and/or refusing to submit to internal drugs tests without reasonable cause on two occasions. I was subsequently suspended from playing rugby until the February 28, 2010.

"I am deeply frustrated and totally devastated by that decision. A decision that has caused me to become profoundly disillusioned with the whole process and has led me to consider whether or not I wish to continue to be involved with the game of rugby at any level

"As a result I have decided to 'take some time out' and take advantage of other options outside of professional rugby that are available to me. My main focus was always to clear my name in relation to any drug taking; this has now been done and I will not be taking the matter any further.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that I am immensely proud to have represented Bath Rugby club and will always be grateful for all the support that I have enjoyed from the players and fans.

"I wish the players and the fans every success."