RFU anti-doping report - professional rugby is clean; amateur rugby, not so much...

If the results of the RFU Anti Doping report are anything to go by, then the professional game in England does not have an overt problem with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

However the report also acknowledges that PED use at an amateur level and attitudes to supplements among age grade players are very real issues for the sport to contend with.

The big takeaway from the report which was published today is that the professional game in England appears to be clean, in so far as their testing can confirm.

According to the report: “In season 2016/17 there were no anti-doping violations within the professional game in England, which is consistent with previous seasons.”

The report shows that 623 samples were taken; 537 of which were urine, while 86 (14 percent) were blood.

Eighty-seven percent of tests were taken out of the competition, with 156 tests being taken during International competitions. The tests were carried out by World Rugby, the RFU and the Six Nations – with the vast bulk (140) being carried out by World Rugby.

As the report points out, the last anti-doping violation for a performance-enhancing drug from a professional player was in season 2010/11.

However, one player was found guilty of an illicit substance violation during the 2016/17 season, namely cocaine. The RFU policy states that: “Strict confidentiality is maintained for all admissions of use and violations where it is a first offence.”

A total of 302 urine and hair samples were collected at all Aviva Premiership clubs throughout the season relating to illicit drug use, although the RFU point out ‘It is important to note, however, that RFU Illicit Drugs tests are not WADA accredited and do not form part of the anti-doping programme.’

While English professional rugby has passed with flying colours, the report bears out the consensus that at the amateur level of the game, PED use is present to a degree.

Of 119 samples collected from amateur rugby, there were three violations, representing nearly 3 percent of players tested. A fourth case is still in ‘the case management process’ and could yet be deemed a violation.

Of the three confirmed violations, two were for anabolic steroid use (Drostanolone) and one was for cocaine. The two found guilty of using steroids were banned for four years, while the player caught with cocaine in their system was banned for two years.

Research undertaken by the RFU involving 987 schoolboys unearthed some worrying trends, especially with regards to perceptions around substances used by young people playing rugby.

Steve Grainger, the RFU’s Rugby Development Director said: “Publication of the latest findings from our joint research project with Leeds Beckett University shows a worrying lack of awareness in age-grade players, particularly around the use of supplements and hence raising the risk of vulnerability to doping.”

The report noted: “Use of banned substances was appraised to be a serious issue in school that needs attention. A degree of willingness to try a ‘risky’ substance was also noted.

“Nutritional supplement use is prevalent among English schoolboys. Schoolboy rugby union players report the highest susceptibility to doping among those sampled, compared with other athletes and non-athletes.”