Anti-doping tests on Irish rugby players increases exponentially

Anti-doping tests on senior Irish rugby players has increased massively over the past 12 months.

The IRFU has, this morning, published an anti-doping report that shows 267 tests were carried out in the country during 2015/16 and its preseason. No adverse findings were recorded. The number of tests is up 40% on last year and is mainly due to increased tests in and around the 2015 World Cup and Ireland's growing participation in the Sevens game. The biggest spike in testing came in regard to Joe Schmidt's senior squad. 2014/15 saw 28 Irish players test under anti-doping procedures. That climbed to 94 last season, with 24 of those tests coming around the months that encompassed RWC 2015 - a 240% increase. At the tournament, there were 468 samples in total collected from players of the 20 participating nations - 200 in-competition and 268 out-of-competition. There were 16 players tested after Challenge and Champions Cup games, in Ireland, while eight were tested after Six Nations ties at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland Sevens players were tested 43 times last season. IRFU chief executive, Philip Browne comments, "The IRFU has a zero tolerance policy to cheating within rugby and is committed to delivering ongoing education in the area of anti-doping.

"Although rugby has a strong anti-doping track record it is important that we remain vigilant and demonstrate the core values of our game – integrity, respect and excellence. We are grateful to Sport Ireland for their support, professionalism and expertise. "As a sport our message in clear – if you are doping there is no place for you in rugby."

You can check out more on the report at the Irish Rugby website.