RWC '99 - 50% Of Participants To Be Drug Tested

In line with the rigorous anti-doping policy adopted by its governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), the RWC Board of Directors has decided to substantially increase the number of players who will be subject to pre-tournament drug tests on arrival in the UK, France and Ireland for RWC '99. An unprecedented 15 players per team - 50% of the total number of participants - will be tested on arrival, an eight-fold increase compared to the numbers tested before the 1995 Tournament. In addition, two players from each of the 20 teams will be tested in each of the 41 matches - a total of 464 tests being carried out in the 1999 Tournament and finals. Including the qualifying rounds, which started in September 1996, this means almost 600 tests will have been carried out by RWC '99 at a cost of around ú130,000 sterling. Leo Williams, RWC Chairman said: "We are determined to ensure that the tournament is played as a clean, healthy and fair contest between all participating unions. Our record to date is exemplary and we are putting in place measures to ensure that it remains so." Rugby World Cup was the first international rugby competition to introduce drug testing on a regular and comprehensive basis. It was introduced in the 1991 RWC and has remained a feature of RWC since. RWC's doping control programme is governed by the relevant IRB regulations, which clearly stipulate that doping is prohibited. The IRB Regulation is based on International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibitions and guidelines, including the IOC list of banned substances and sanctions in the event of a positive test. No positive test has been recorded so far in a Rugby World Cup match or Tournament, either in the qualifying rounds or finals, in 15-a- side or sevens. For the 1999 Tournament, an efficient and reliable anti-doping programme has been set in place, with the assistance of UK Sport and the French Ministry of Sport. The independence and quality of the RWC Anti-Doping Programme is enhanced by the support of the UK Sport Ethics and Anti-Doping Directorate which since October 1997 has enjoyed ISO9002 certification for the management of drug testing programmes in sport." Ends For further information please contact the IRB Press Centre Tel: +353 1 662 5444 Fax: +353 1 676 9334 Website: www.irfb.com