RFU backs anti-doping programme to be effective

The Rugby Football Union defended their anti-doping programme despite the possibility of an Aviva Premiership player can go an entire season without being tested.

According to the annual report of 2016/17 revealed by the board, a total of 623 tests were conducted which had no violations of performance-enhancing drugs but one player was tested positive for cocaine usage.

"We believe the testing figures are some of the highest in rugby union globally," said Stephen Watkins, the RFU's anti-doping programme manager.

"The more testing you do doesn't necessarily result in a higher number of violations. You need a programme that is sophisticated, intelligent, and [which has] a very good deterrent effect on anti-doping.

"There is no systematic [doping] problem, but we absolutely aren't complacent."

England internationals switching between country and the club is expected to produce eight to 12 samples a season but for a player in the domestic circuit will be tested three times on an average and sometimes he can be even without that.

"If a player did go a season without being tested, we flag it with UK Anti-Doping [Ukad] and we make sure we pick those players up," added Watkins.

"This is about having good data analysis on our players so the testing is comprehensive season on season.

"The [testing figures] represent a very good and comprehensive programme to detect and deter doping within rugby union, certainly in the professional game."

The programme has seen a total of 7000 tests conducted since 2004/05 season and Ukad had praises for RFU's stringent effort to curb doping-related issues.

"We are pleased the RFU is taking such a proactive step to be transparent about the process they run, and we would encourage other sports to follow suit and think about publishing an annual report," said Emily Robinson from Ukad.

"From our point of view we could always undertake more testing but it's important to say a successful anti-doping programme is not solely about testing.

"You need to make sure you also have really strong prevention strategies in place, and the RFU have illustrated the high amount of education that is going on."