Banned Waratahs player pays ‘heavy price’ for taking medication he didn’t have exemption for
Waratahs midfieler Henry O'Donnell and, inset, boss Dan McKellar
Waratahs midfielder Henry O’Donnell has copped an 18-month ban for doping, with the sanction backdated to July 1, 2025, and expiring at the start of 2027.
The 23-year-old, who began his Super Rugby Pacific career with the Western Force before making a dozen appearances last season with the Waratahs, tested positive for two substances related to ADHD medication. At the time of his test, O’Donnell didn’t have an exemption for their use.
A statement read: “The sanction, as determined by Sports Integrity Australia, relates to O’Donnell testing positive for D-amphetamine and ritalinic acid – two substances associated with ADHD medication – during an in-competition doping control test conducted on May 9, 2025, without a therapeutic use exemption.
“The Waratahs and Rugby Australia note the SIA finding that the violation was not intentional and took place in a context unrelated to sport performance. O’Donnell now holds a therapeutic use exemption for the medication that he has been prescribed to treat his ADHD and will be eligible to return to play from January 1, 2027.”
“Paid a heavy price for that misstep…”
Throwing his support behind O’Donnell, who played for Australia at the Junior World Championship in 2023, Waratahs director of high-performance BJ Mather said: “Henry made an error of judgment and has paid a heavy price for that misstep.
“The club has supported Henry throughout the process, and we look forward to his return to Daceyville.”
In O’Donnell’s absence this season, Dan McKellar’s Waratahs finished eighth in the 2026 Super Rugby tournament, winning just five of their 14 matches in a difficult campaign that ended with them being the lowest placed of the four Australian sides.
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