Former Penrith Panther Zak Hardaker has been sacked by English Super League club Castleford Tigers, four months after testing positive for a banned substance.
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The full-back was a surprise omission from the Tigers' Super League Grand Final side that lost to Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford in October, with the club citing a "breach of team rules" at the time.
It was later confirmed by the Rugby Football League that Hardaker had returned an adverse finding from a sample taken after a Super 8s match between Castleford and Leeds.
Hardaker, who apologised and denied taking a substance to enhance his performance, was consequently provisionally suspended, meaning he missed the Rugby League World Cup, where England were beaten finalists.
UK Anti-Doping has yet to announce its findings, but Hardaker's contract has been cancelled by the Tigers.
A club statement read: "Castleford Tigers can confirm that Zak Hardaker has been dismissed from his contract with the club.
"Hardaker, was suspended by the club after a failing a drugs test in the weeks leading up to the 2017 Super League Grand Final, and currently awaits the outcome of his case from UK Anti-Doping organisation.
"Castleford Tigers will comment on this matter further when UKAD conclude their case."
The 26-year-old played 11 NRL games for the Panthers in 2016 after joining the Mountain Men on loan from Leeds Rhinos as part of a swap deal for James Segeyaro.
Hardaker, who made his Super League debut for the Rhinos in 2011, returned to the Super League with the Tigers at the end of 2016.
His initial suspension following his positive test likely cost the former Man of Steel nominee a spot in England's 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad.