Doping Bans Highest Among Rugby Union Players

More than a third of all British sports men and women currently serving doping bans in the UK are rugby union players, raising questions about the pressure on young players to "bulk up" in order to compete in the modern game.

Sky News analysis of completed doping cases managed by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) shows that 15 of the 46 athletes currently banned are rugby union players or support staff.

The majority of the bans were handed down to young club rugby players active at the lower levels of the game.

One promising player currently banned, Sam Chalmers, the son of former Scotland fly-half Craig, told Sky News that young players are under pressure to build muscle in order to compete, tempting some into using supplements containing banned substances.

Ten of the players and coaches currently banned were identified in the 2013-14 season, an increase on previous years, and bans as long as eight years have been handed down.

In one case a player from Nottingham admitted importing human growth hormone. In another a Devon county age group player pleaded guilty to using testosterone.

A range of steroids are also among the drugs identified by UKAD, with many of the players claiming that they tested positive after taking supplements intended to help them build muscle.

Chalmers, 20, was banned for two years in 2013 after failing a test administered by the International Rugby Board (IRB) while preparing for the Under-20 World Cup.

Since being banned he has made an education video on behalf of the IRB to try and warn others of the dangers.

He told Sky News he took a supplement after coming under pressure from coaches to get heavier.

"I was one of the youngest in the squad, physically not as big or strong, and I was probably impatient, wanting a quick fix and wanted to get to that next level too early," he said.

He said had he been better educated about doping he would have checked what was in the supplement and would still be playing.

"The only person I blame in this is myself but I was told to put weight on to get more conditioned, to work more on my strength, power and speed," he added.

"I know a lot of youngsters are under pressure to put on more weight to get to the next level, but I think in the end you have to do the hard work.”

Craig Chalmers says the game faces a serious challenge. "From the conversations I have had since Sam's case there is clearly an issue with what people might be taking, and this may be the tip of the iceberg.

"What Sam did was a stupid error but I am proud of the way he has reacted to it, and I hope his example will help put off others from making a similar mistake."

The Rugby Football Union is due to publish its annual review of anti-doping operations this week.