Former Zimbabwe Under-20 player Shane Joubert has been suspended for six years after being found guilty of contravening the IRB's anti-doping regulations.

Joubert was found to have supplied nandrolone, an anabolic androgenic steroid, to two members of the 2012 Zimbabwe Under-20 team, Simbarashe Michael Chirara and Dylan Coetzee. Both were banned for two years, although Chirara subsequently had his penalty reduced to six months.

After being identified by the pair, Joubert was charged in relation to trafficking or attempted trafficking; administration or attempted administration; use or attempted use; and possession of prohibited substances.

In September last year, Joubert gave the IRB a signed statement admitting to obtaining and using "steroids" and supplying them to Coetzee and Chirara.

The IRB judicial committee banned him for six years, starting from December 13, 2012, the date the Zimbabwe board first notified him of him being banned pending the investigation. Joubert did not attend the hearing.

IRB vice-chairman Oregan Hoskins, who was in Harare to support a local anti-drug initiative, met with government officials to discuss what is seen as a growing problem in Zimbabwe. "IRB anti-doping should be commended for their message of zero tolerance towards doping," he said. "It is balanced against Rugby's desire to be proactive in spreading health and wellness."

"It's important that the IRB gets the opportunity to inform all unions about the hazards of using drugs in sport-not just for players but also for administrators. The sessions here in Harare are extremely valuable to the Zimbabwe Union and I expect they will benefit in the long term."