The NSW Waratahs have confirmed that rising centre Henry O’Donnell received and accepted an 18 month doping ban after testing positive to two prohibited substances in 2025.
O’Donnell, 23, returned an in-competition positive result for two substances relating to ADHD medication in May last year, but he did not have a therapeutic use exemption for the medication at the time, according to a statement from Rugby Australia and the Waratahs.
Henry O’Donnell playing for the Waratahs in 2025. Getty
He has subsequently been formally diagnosed with ADHD and now has an exemption for the medication.
RA stated O’Donnell was not in pursuit of performance enhancement in taking the medication.
“Rugby Australia and the Waratahs note the SIA finding that the violation was not intentional and took place in a context unrelated to sport performance,” the statement read.
“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 1 January 2027.”
Sports Integrity Australia is set to hand down its official findings next week.
O’Donnell was provisionally suspended in September, which saw him stood down from all training and contact with the Waratahs.
He is currently taking a break from the sport.
“Henry made an error of judgment and has paid a heavy price for that misstep,” Waratahs director of high performance Barrie-Jon Mather said.
“The club has supported Henry throughout the process and we look forward to his return.”
O’Donnell told the Sydney Morning Herald that he took the medication to help him with his university studies.
He was not able to tell people what had happened during the investigation.
“I was starting to hear some pretty ordinary rumours. A few of my really close friends knew, but on the whole, my teammates knew absolutely nothing,” O’Donnell said.
“At the start, it was personal reasons, I then heard stuff to do with the police. I then heard doping. I heard everything.
Henry O’Donnell of the Waratahs runs with the ball. Getty
“I was advised not to talk about it and I think out of the whole situation, that was probably the hardest thing.
“And my mates, to be honest, were not pushy at all.
“I didn’t get interrogated by any of the boys… but I didn’t want to kill my social life either, so to a few of my close friends, I said: ‘look, I’m not going to say what’s happened, but don’t ask me questions, but I’m still keen to hang out’.”