CASTLEFORD full back Zak Hardaker has been suspended for failing a drugs test, the Rugby Football League has announced.

The Tigers dropped the full-back for Saturday's Super League Grand Final for what they called a breach of club rules and the governing body has now revealed the player tested positive for a banned substance following his club's win over Leeds a month ago.

Hardaker played in the semi-final victory over Saints 11 days ago scoring a try in the first minute, but that was a week before Castleford had been given official notification..

Castleford stated: "We were made aware at 10am on Thursday (October 5) morning that the player would receive official written notification from UK Anti-Doping and therefore the player was immediately suspended.

"Official notification was delivered on Friday and following discussions with the player on Sunday the decision was taken to announce the result of the test today in order to clarify the circumstances around Zak's omission. 

A RFL spokesperson said: "The Rugby Football League can confirm that Zak Hardaker is provisionally suspended from all competition after it received notification from UK Anti-Doping that he had tested positive for a banned substance following a Super 8s game between Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos on September 8, 2017.

"He will therefore not be considered for the England Rugby League World Cup squad due to be announced today (Monday) at 12pm.

"The Rugby Football League will be making no further comment until the outcome of the case has been determined."