By Alex Lowe, PA Sport

Canadian sevens star Fred Asselin has had his doping suspension lifted by the International Rugby Board's appeal committee.

The British Columbia winger is now free to take his place in the Canadian Commonwealth Games squad.

Asselin, who has won 10 Test caps for Canada, admitted to having taken a pain killer for toothache and was immediately withdrawn from the Canada squad as a positive test would have led to the whole side being disqualified.

Rugby Canada suspended him, but an investigation by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport concluded he was guilty of no wrong-doing and it was duly lifted.

However, the IRB had to follow suit before Asselin was free to play and requested more information into the incident before meeting today.

Having met, the world sport's governing body announced Asselin had been given a dressing down for his actions, but not a ban.

The adjudication read: "An IRB appeal committee found that Fred Asselin (Canada) had committed a doping offence, specifically the admission that he used a prohibited substance Oxycocet.

"Having considered the facts and circumstances the appeal committee did not impose a playing suspension but severely reprimanded Fred Asselin and warned him as to his future conduct."

It was agreed they would act before Canada's campaign got under way against New Zealand this evening, and the ruling allowed Asselin to take his place on the bench against the tournament favourites.

However, had the Appeals Committee also rejected the CCES ruling, and maintained the ban, Asselin's promising career would have been in jeopardy.

The 28-year-old has broken through to the Test side and been named in the senior squad for upcoming matches against Uruguay and Chile in the next round of Americas Zone qualifying for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Canada's campaign has got off to a promising start with consecutive victories over the USA Eagles. Asselin played in both and scored a try in the 36-13 win in Chicago on July 13.

Asselin's case marks the second time in the Games an athlete has had his participation ratified despite convcerns over doping offences.

The 100metres gold medallist Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis tested positive for banned substance Salbutamol, but was allowed to keep his medals after explaining he had taken the drug for asthma.

Although he did not declare use of the medication prior to the race, the Commonwealt Games Federation decided unanimously that Collins should "not be penalised".