CHIPPENHAM rugby coach Hentie Martens has offered his support to Alex Crockett after the Yatton Keynell star lodged an appeal against a nine-month ban.

The 27-year-old, along with Bath co-captain Michael Lippman and Andrew Higgins, were found guilty of missing drugs tests following an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Higgins has since retired from rugby but Crockett and Lippman are to appeal against the decision of the RFU panel and it’s sanction, a decision Martens agrees with.

“It’s a difficult situation but why should they be tested and nobody else?” said the former South Africa international, who played with Crockett at Bath.

“It was after the season so if you’re going to be like that why not test the whole English Premiership?

“If you’re going to test then make it in line with the International Olympic Committee and do it all the time.

“It’s unfair to single these guys out on the basis of rumours and then ban them. You have to treat everybody in the same way.”

The trio resigned from Bath in June after an investigation into behaviour at an end of season party in May.

All allegations that the players had taken drugs were dropped at the start of the RFU hearing.

“You don’t expect these kind of allegations and it’s going to be a setback to Bath and the players,” said Martens.

“It takes years to build up a good reputation but five minutes to destroy it, which is unfair on them.”