Wendell Sailor preparing to appeal against drugs ban

Wendell Sailor's appeal against a two-year drugs ban is likely to be heard in December, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported today.

The bulldozing winger was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union this year after testing positive for cocaine.

His legal team are arguing that the World Anti-Doping Agency's penalty code for recreational drug use is too harsh.

Sailor, who played 37 rugby tests for the Wallabies, including the 2003 World Cup final, said he hoped to return to rugby league if the ban was reduced.

He represented Australia in league before switching codes in a blaze of publicity in 2002.

- REUTERS