Two positive drug tests in English rugby in 2016-17

THE RFU anti-doping advisory group have revealed there were two positive tests out of more than 700 conducted across all levels of rugby in England last season, with both violations falling outside the professional game.

The programme carried out 623 tests within the elite game while 119 were conducted at community level rugby.

The two players in the community game have been banned for four years for using prohibited substances while a third, who tested positive for an illicit drug, was handed a twoyear ban.

The report added that a fourth player, whose sample was within the case management process, could be confirmed as an antidoping violation.

The RFU insists it is running a “comprehensive” anti-doping programme, despite revealing a Premiership player could go a whole season without being tested.

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

“If a player did go a season without being tested, we flag it with UK AntiDoping and we make sure we pick those players up.”

Premiership Rugby director Phil Winstanley said the report had highlighted their commitment towards keeping the sport clean at professional level. “I’m delighted to see that the report yet again has returned a clean bill of health,” he said.