Former Bath co-captains Michael Lipman and Alex Crockett are to appeal against the nine-month bans they received for missed drug tests.

Andrew Higgins, who was also suspended by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel on August 3, has announced his retirement from rugby after becoming "profoundly disillusioned".

All three players were found to have failed on two occasions to undertake drug tests as Bath investigated allegations of misconduct during an unofficial end-of-season celebration in London.

The RFU's disciplinary panel dropped charges of drug use at the outset of the four-day hearing.
Higgins, 27, insisted his only concern was to be cleared of using drugs and he will now retire from the sport to pursue other interests.

But Lipman, an England international with 10 caps, and Crockett have today lodged appeals against both the decision of the RFU disciplinary panel and the sanction.

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."

Lipman, Crockett and Higgins were among six players who were linked with allegations of drug use during the celebrations in London on May 10.
Former Australia lock Justin Harrison resigned from the club after also failing to take a drugs test and later received an eight-month suspension after admitting to taking cocaine.

Two other players took drug tests and were cleared.

Lipman, Crockett and Higgins did not take a test and resigned from the club shortly before they were due to attend an internal disciplinary hearing.

The RFU then launched an investigation into the situation, which resulted in all three players being cleared of drug use but suspended for missing the tests.

While Lipman and Crockett challenge the verdict, Higgins has decided quit the game altogether.

He 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 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."
Lipman, Crockett and Higgins argued to the panel they had "good grounds" for not taking the tests.

The RFU's panel, chaired by Judge Jeff Blackett, rejected the arguments and questioned why the players would have avoided taking tests if they had nothing to fear.

The panel's summing-up read: "If the players had nothing to fear from taking a drugs test then they would have taken them.

"The reality of the case was that at the time when asked to take a drugs test the players believed there was a risk of positive results.

"This was either because they knew they had ingested drugs or they had drunk so much alcohol that they could not remember whether or not they had ingested drugs.

"Each of the players therefore decided to play for time, keep out of contact and then hide behind legal defence."

Bath have lost five players this year to drug-related issues, with Matt Stevens currently serving a two-year suspension for taking cocaine.

The squad have taken steps to ensure there is no repeat in the future by electing a five senior players to form a leadership group and drawing up a new code of conduct.