All rugby players at any level in England and Wales are subject to random Drug testing in the same way that professional and Olympic sports persons are.

The RFU can and do turn up without warning to clubs on match days and training days to carry out drug testing and are the 2nd highest drug testing sport in the country behind football.

What you might not be aware of is that many substances on the prohibited list are present in many legal dietary supplements which can be bought over the counter or on line.
The main areas of banned substances are:
Steroids (Anabolic Agents)
Hormones & Peptides (Human Growth Hormone)
Diuretics and Masking Agents (Hiding the use of other drugs)
Blood Doping (EPO & Blood transfusions etc)
Stimulants (Pseudoephedrine, Methyhexaneamine (MHA) etc) (Jungle Juice/ pre match pick ups)
Illicit (recreational) Drugs.

The average ban for individuals is 2 years from play, training, officiating, selection, team management, admin & promotion of ANY SPORT at all levels!

The RFU in simple terms suggest that approx. 1 in 10 dietary supplements contain prohibited substances which also include Pre Workout and Fat Burn products.

The RFU recommend that to further your ability and fitness use a regime of ‘Training – Diet – Hydration – Rest’.

For further information please refer to www.informed-sport.com or www.rfu.com - The Game – Anti Doping.

The Bristol area is the pilot for raising awareness which mean the testers may arrive.