Anti-Doping Programme Annual Report

Transcription

1 Anti-Doping Programme Annual Report

2

3 Contents Anti Doping Programme - Annual Report Foreword Executive Summary Landscape Education Research Testing Programme Anti-Doping Rule Violations Next Season RFU Illicit Drugs Programme - Annual Report Foreword Executive Summary Landscape Objectives Education Specialist Assessment and Treatment Testing Programme Next Season Glossary of Terms 23 Glossary

4 - 01 -

5 Anti-Doping Programme

6 Foreword In preparation for the Rugby World Cup I met thousands of dedicated rugby fans and I can without doubt say that sport matters to people. Doping poses an on-going threat to sport that can only be tackled head on as a team. It harms players, destroys fair play and does irreparable damage to the credibility of sport. Doping has no part in sport and it has no part in rugby. This is the fifth annual report on the anti-doping and illicit drugs programmes in English rugby. Players at all levels expect the RFU and its partners to ensure that the competition amongst players and teams is fair. Cheating, and the blight of doping, plays no part in our game. It is a sad fact that performance enhancing drug use is not an issue that is confined to elite sport and has permeated through society. The impact is perhaps more acutely felt now than it was in the past, when it first became a major challenge for sport. Recreational players doping in order to improve their performance and young people taking performance enhancing drugs in a bid enhance their image present a challenge to society in general and to the core values of the game. Rob Andrew Professional Rugby Director, Rugby Football Union We are operating in a world where the threats to the integrity of rugby are much broader than doping alone. This season the RPA has again embarked on a wide ranging education drive working closely with our partners at the RFU and Premiership Rugby. Education is vital to an effective integrity programme and is the first line of defence in protecting the rights of players. Doping is something the Rugby Players Association and its members want no part of, the risk to the reputation of the game and the health of the players is incalculable. Richard Bryan Rugby Director, Rugby Players Association Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs and their players understand the importance of leading by example in anti-doping campaigns and how making rugby a drug free sport is paramount. This report once again demonstrates that the strategic work undertaken through the Anti-Doping Advisory Group continues to be effective in supporting our commitment to keeping professional rugby drug free. However, we know that we cannot be complacent and each season we work with all stakeholders to enhance the anti-doping and illicit drugs management systems. There is still cause for concern around doping by some aspiring young players and those within the recreational part of our sport which we must continue to identify and deal with effectively. We cannot do this alone and external support from UKAD must be maintained through sufficient funding and investment in research about the whole environment. Phil Winstanley - Rugby Director, Premiership Rugby We live in a country where sport is an integral part of the cultural fabric of our community. Sport can carry the hopes of a nation, however we must accept that there will always be those who look to exploit those hopes. The best way we can tackle these issues is by working closely together. The RFU and UK Anti- Doping have an excellent relationship built on openness and transparency. We share the common value of keeping drugs out of rugby. Pat Myhill Director of Operations, UK Anti-Doping

7 Executive Summary This fifth RFU Anti-Doping Programme Annual Report provides an account of antidoping activities in rugby union in England for season 2014/15. It fulfils the commitment made in season 2010/11 to report publicly in this area of RFU operations. This report demonstrates the positive work undertaken by the RFU and its partners in the fight against doping in rugby. The RFU testing programme comprised 719 anti-doping tests with both blood and urine samples analysed. Testing has taken place both in and out-of-competition and included both targeted and random selections at all levels of the game. Four violations have resulted from nonanalytical investigations (ie. not the result of a failed test). This is the first season where non-analytical cases have outnumbered adverse analytical findings, highlighting the importance of close collaboration and intelligence sharing with both UK Anti- Doping and the law enforcement agencies. Anti-doping education has been delivered to players at a wide range of ages and levels, from the international and professional game, through the RFU regional academies and national league clubs to the community game and education providers. RFU antidoping staff presented at seminars for player agents, teachers, parents, coaches, team managers and medical practitioners. The testing programme returned three adverse analytical findings: one for Cocaine (Stimulants), one for Clenbuterol (Other Anabolic Agents) and one for both 19-norandrosterone (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) and Clomiphene (Hormones & Metabolic Modulators). A continuing priority within the education programme is advising of the potential risks from the use of nutritional supplements. Supplement use has become increasingly widespread in recent years and the RFU supplement position statement forms the cornerstone of this message

8 Landscape Anti-Doping Advisory Group The Anti-Doping Advisory Group is responsible for advising on anti-doping policy and drafting antidoping rules and regulations for rugby union in England. Formed in season 2010/11, the group replaced a number of other committees with responsibility in this area, bringing together representatives from the professional league, the players association and the governing body. The group membership also provides expertise in sports science, sports medicine, law and anti-doping operations. Membership: Rob Andrew (Chair); Professional Rugby Director, Rugby Football Union Steve Grainger; Rugby Development Director, Rugby Football Union Phil Winstanley; Rugby Director, Premiership Rugby Andrew Rogers; Salary Cap & Regulations Manager, Premiership Rugby Richard Bryan; Rugby Director, Rugby Players Association Nicola Newman; Director of Communications & Education, UK Anti-Doping Angus Bujalski; Head of Legal, Rugby Football Union Dr Simon Kemp; Chief Medical Officer, Rugby Football Union Stephen Watkins; Anti-Doping & Illicit Drugs Programme Manager, Rugby Football Union Richard Nunn; Anti-Doping & Illicit Drugs Programme Officer, Rugby Football Union Rugby Football Union (RFU) The Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in England. The RFU works closely with its partners in the fight against doping and conducts a comprehensive anti-doping programme covering education, testing and results management. In addition to the anti-doping programme, the RFU was the first union in the world to introduce an illicit drug testing programme. Premiership Rugby Premiership Rugby is the organiser and promoter of the Aviva Premiership Rugby competition, the top division of rugby union in England. It also acts as the representative body for the league and its member clubs. Rugby Players Association (RPA) The RPA is the representative body and collective voice of rugby players in England and looks after the interests of all professional players, from academy players to those playing the international game. The Association, originally the Professional Rugby Players Association, was renamed The Rugby Players Association (RPA) in October 2009, to reflect their expansion and increase in membership to include semiprofessional and retired players as well as full time professionals World Rugby Regulation 21 3 WADA Mission:

9 World Rugby World Rugby adopted the WADA Code in June 2004 and is committed to a zero tolerance policy towards the use of prohibited substances, methods and drug cheats in the game 2. World Rugby undertakes extensive testing and educational programmes across the game supported by a regulatory system which is in compliance with the Code. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) WADA s mission is to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms 3. WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed of and funded equally by sport and governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the code. WADA is a Swiss private law foundation; its seat is in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its headquarters in Montreal, Canada. European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Established in 2014 with headquarters in Neuchatel, Switzerland; European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is the organiser of the European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup tournaments. The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournament feature clubs which have qualified on merit from their respective domestic leagues - the Aviva Premiership, the Top 14 and the Guinness PRO12. EPCR s tournaments are run according to World Rugby s Laws of the Game and to World Rugby Regulations. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) UKAD is the national body responsible for the implementation and management of the UK s National Anti-Doping Policy. It is responsible for ensuring sports bodies in the UK comply with the Code. UKAD works with athletes and sports to develop and deliver education and anti-doping information programmes. UKAD s testing programme covers more than 40 sports

10 Anti-Doping Programme at a Glance 3 ADVERSE ANALYTICAL FINDINGS 70% of samples collected out of competition 719 ANTI-DOPING TESTS 15% OF SAMPLES COLLECTED WERE BLOOD Education The RFU education programme places an emphasis on the individual player to take responsibility for antidoping. Working in partnership with World Rugby and UKAD the Keep Rugby Clean and 100% ME brands continue to form a key component of the education programme. Squad Briefings The RFU provides extensive anti-doping education to thousands of individuals each year, helping players and support personnel understand the role they play in protecting rugby. Presentations were delivered to all Aviva Premiership Rugby and Greene King IPA Championship clubs in pre-season. It is vitally important that players are individually aware of their own responsibilities and are able to put measures in place to avoid unintentionally breaching the regulations. RFU staff delivered anti-doping briefing sessions to all England age-group representative squads (U16 wider development squad, U18 Clubs & Schools, U17, U18 and U20 squads). Each session is specifically designed to complement and build upon previous sessions delivered to the players as they progress through the England age-group squads. A dedicated session was run for the England U20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship During the tournament, the team took part in a Keep Rugby Clean day, promoting antidoping in rugby. In addition anti-doping education sessions were delivered to all RFU Regional Academy and AASE League squads ahead of the new academy testing programme. These sessions seek to ensure a positive sport experience by imparting the lessons of clean competition, sportsmanship, and peak performance; and focusing on the core values of English Rugby. The sessions encourage players to make good decisions, avoid risky behaviours, and be leaders in their squads. 100% ME Advisors All Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs are required as part of the competitions own minimum requirements to have two members of staff trained as 100% ME Advisors. Every club was compliant. 100% ME Advisors are trained to advise players and provide support within the clubs on antidoping matters. They have access to e-learning education modules to develop and maintain anti-doping knowledge and receive regular updates

11 Rugby World Cup - Chaperone Training Supplement Position Statement The RFU Supplement Position Statement is designed to be a useful guide for all rugby players when considering the use of supplements. The statement takes a clear three-point approach and is supported by a range of supporting education resources on the England Rugby website. com/governance/anti-doping/anti-dopingprogramme/supplements Rosslyn Park National School 7s This season again the RFU took the anti-doping message to the world s largest schools rugby 7s festival The Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens Tournament - which attracts 7,500 boys and girls aged 13 to 18. RFU and UKAD staff were in attendance throughout the week to offer anti-doping advice, education and resources to players, coaches, teachers and parents. Player Support Personnel Conferences & Seminars In addition to delivering education directly to players, anti-doping briefings have been delivered to various groups of player support personnel. These groups include team managers, coaches, medics, strength and conditioning experts, sports scientists, player agents, parents, teachers, club officials and academy managers. In May and July 2015 the RFU hosted the culmination of the 2015 HSBC Sevens World Series and Rugby Europe 7s Grand Prix Series at Twickenham Stadium and Sandy Park respectively. The events hosted top international sevens teams from around the world and drew a combined crowd of over 100,000 people. To successfully conduct a rigorous testing programme at these events required an integrated approach with a number of agencies involved. The RFU worked in cooperation the World Rugby, Rugby Europe, Sports Drug Testing International (SDTI) and England Rugby In a year where England is host to the Rugby World Cup, these events were seen as an excellent opportunity to provide chaperones with valuable experience in the lead up to the tournament. Coupled with highly experienced anti-doping personnel from SDTI and World Rugby, the testing plan for the tournament was completed without a hitch. Approximately 50 sample collections were successfully completed with excellent feedback received from players and team management alike. EnglandRugby.com The Website provides a platform for a range of anti-doping educational materials. The antidoping pages are regularly updated to reflect changes in the anti-doping landscape and provide relevant content for users; including presentations, interactive quizzes, videos and case studies

12 Research Leeds Beckett University (formerly Leeds Metropolitan University) and the Rugby Football Union have partnered on a research project to explore the use of performance and image enhancing substances in male adolescent rugby union players. A large-scale, representative study of adolescent sportsmen in England is currently underway. To date over 800 participants have completed the study. The research is investigating young sportsmen and women who are under pressure to achieve and who also face the pressures of simply being a young person. Understanding those pressures is critical to deterring doping in our young players. The factors that influence players decision-making are not well known and getting a valuable insight into the willingness to use or not use performance enhancing drugs will be valuable going forward. The research results will be published in 2016 and new initiatives are expected to follow

13 Testing Programme The RFU, in collaboration with UKAD, World Rugby, 6 Nations and EPCR runs a comprehensive testing programme incorporating both in-competition and out-of-competition testing. There is extensive target testing of players based on an intelligent assessment of the risk of doping. Factors taken into consideration may include possible doping patterns from other sports, competition schedules, common types of substances, injury, relative performance levels, age, sporting history, ineligibility, return to play and other factors as prescribed in the WADA International Standard for Testing. Junior Academy (U17/U18) Testing Programme The RFU run a testing programme specifically targeted at academy level players in response to growing concern about young players susceptibility to doping practices. The regional academies and affiliated education providers are very supportive of the programme. All squads attend a dedicated anti-doping education workshop and testing takes place at no advance notice during the season with over 100 samples collected. THERE IS EXTENSIVE TARGET TESTING OF PLAYERS BASED ON AN INTELLIGENT ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK OF DOPING Whereabouts The RFU adopts and implements the World Rugby anti-doping regulation which is agreed by WADA to be Code compliant. The World Rugby anti-doping regulation utilises an International Testing Pool (ITP) and an International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP) for higher risk players. The ITP comprises international level players from around the world. During periods of injury and during the off-season (or other times when players may be away from their clubs) they are required to provide a one hour slot each day where they must be available for testing. The IRTP includes players who have either a combination of missed tests from the ITP or are otherwise considered to be of high risk. Players in this pool are required to provide a one hour slot every day of the year. In addition to the World Rugby testing pools, UKAD requires the RFU to regulate for a National Registered Testing Pool (NRTP) which requires players to provide a one hour slot every day. At present a number of England international players are subject to the NRTP.

14 Season 2014/15 RFU World Rugby Six Nations EPCR Total Number of tests conducted using each sample collection method Urine Blood Number of tests conducted In-Competition & Out-of-Competition In-Competition Out-of-Competition Number of tests conducted at each level of rugby International Aviva Premiership / Aviva Premiership clubs in European competition Aviva Premiership A-League Greene King IPA Championship National League Junior Academy (U17/U18) Other Total number of tests conducted Total tests conducted Last Five Seasons Season Urine Blood Total 2014/ /14 467* 144* / / / *Includes those tests reported after the publication of the 2013/2014 Annual Report

15 Anti-Doping Rule Violations Season Name; Club Level of rugby Violation Substance(s) Sanction 2014/15 Phil Robinson; Northampton Wanderers A-League Presence of a prohibited substance Cocaine 2 Years 2014/15 Luke Crunden; Cinderford Level 3 Presence of a prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone and Clomiphine 2 Years 2014/15 Arfon Kendrick; Paviors Level 6 Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance Human Growth Hormone 2 Years 2013/14 Decision confidential Under 18 Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance Testosterone 2 Years 2013/14 Decision confidential Under 18 Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance Testosterone 2 Years 2013/14 Decision confidential Under 18 Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance Testosterone 2 Years 2013/14 Chris Jose; Bicton College College Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance Dianobol 15 Months 2013/14 Richard Briggs; Henley Level 3 Presence of a prohibited substance Oxandrolone & 19-Norandrosterone 2 Years 2013/14 William Robinson; Rotherham Level 2 Presence of a prohibited substance Clomiphene 2 Years 2013/14 Harrison Pickett; Hartpury College University Presence of a prohibited substance Stanozolol 2 Years 2013/14 Ralph Cooke; Blackheath Level 3 Presence of a prohibited substance Trenbolone 2 Years 2013/14 Clive Peters; Surrey Rugby County Possession & Trafficking of a prohibited substance Various 8 Years 2013/14 Harry Allen; Harlequins Level 1 Presence of a prohibited substance Cocaine 1 Year 2012/13 Michael Ryan; Coventry Level 3 Presence of a prohibited substance Clenbuterol & 19-Norandrosterone 2 Years 2012/13 John Freeman; Matson Level 7 Presence of a prohibited substance Cocaine 2 Years 2012/13 Aaron Mason; Filton SGS College Under 18 Presence of a prohibited substance Dianabol 2 Years 2012/13 Jack Warrington; Sedgley Park Level 3 Presence of a prohibited substance Methylhexaneamine (MHA) 2 Years 2012/13 James Comben; Henley Level 4 Presence of a prohibited substance Methylhexaneamine (MHA) 6 Months 2011/12 Andy Vance; Royal Navy / Gosport & Fareham Level 7 Presence of a prohibited substance Methylhexaneamine (MHA) 6 Months 2011/12 Jonny Spelman; Harlequins Under 18 Presence of a djsijddjsh sdaoijdasjko GPRH-6, Masteron, Testosterone 21 Months 2011/12 Bradley Parker; Hove Level 6 Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance Dianabol 15 Months 2010/11 Nico Steenkamp; Rotherham Level 2 Presence of a prohibited substance Methylhexaneamine (MHA) 3 Months 2010/11 Karena Wihongi; Sale Sharks Level 1 Presence of a prohibited substance Methylhexaneamine (MHA) 4 Months Note: Five cases are on-going and cannot be commented on publicly at the time of publication

16 Next Season The RFU will continue to deliver a stringent regime at the elite level of the game, while allowing greater flexibility to target other areas as deemed appropriate. It is important to recognise that all rugby players in England are subject to the anti-doping rules and may be tested at any time. This approach will continue for next season, with additional focus placed upon the National League structure and lower levels of the game where a number of violations have occurred in recent years. The decision taken to target the anti-doping message specifically to younger players through education and testing will continue forward to next season

17 Illicit Drugs Programme

18 Foreword At the end of the fifth year of the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme, the RFU and its partners should continue to feel confident in the beneficial impact this programme is having. While two positive test results were reported in the season, for the first time there were no formal admissions of use and the two positive results need to be seen within the broader context of societal use. Research by Opinium in 2014 reported that more than 15 million adult Britons had taken an illicit drug and the proportion of the population who have ever taken illicit drugs is growing. These findings are mirrored by the 2013 to 2014 Crime Survey for England and Wales (see Landscape), where around one-third (35.6%) of adults said they had taken an illicit drug in their lifetime and 8.8% said they had taken an illicit drug in the last year. The illicit drug programme looks to balance player health and welfare with the need to protect the image and reputation of the game. 79% of samples collected were hair samples, with a detection window of up to seven months. The two positive results of the programme in the season again highlighted the risk to players as a consequence of typically one-off episodes of impaired judgement that may be associated with mental illness, long-term injury and alcohol use. No player who has been assessed by the independent specialists under the policy to date has to date been found to have been a regular user of illicit drugs. It is also important to recognise the part played by the players in the programme. They consistently support a 100% drug-free environment and recognise that illicit drugs are not a part of their lifestyles or the game. This report is not however reason for complacency. We must continue to be vigilant and also flexible enough to reflect the changing landscape around us. The shifting nature of drug use within the general population will be monitored, with particular reference to increasing use of legal highs and the testing programme will continue to reflect this. Dr Simon Kemp - Illicit Drugs Programme Medical Director Executive Summary This fifth RFU Illicit Drugs Policy Annual Report provides an account of the programme activities for season 2014/15. It fulfils the commitment made in season 2010/11 to report publicly in this area of RFU operations. RFU Illicit drugs policy education sessions were delivered at all Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs during the course of the season by RFU and RPA staff. The RFU continued to partner with Alere Toxicology for its illicit drug testing programme. A total of 445 tests were conducted, with two positive results returned and 66% of all available players tested at least once during the season. Within the illicit drug testing programme 79% of samples collected were of hair, which when analysed can detect illicit drug use for a period of between three and seven months

19 IT HARMS PLAYERS, DESTROYS FAIR PLAY AND DOES IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE CREDIBILITY OF SPORT

20 Societal Use of Illicit Drugs Landscape According to the 2013 to 2014 Crime Survey for England and Wales 4 around one-third (35.6%) of adults aged 16 to 59 said they had taken an illicit drug (excluding mephedrone) in their lifetime, which equates to around 11.2 million people. The proportion of adults aged 16 to 24 having ever taken an illicit drug was similar to adults aged 16 to 59 (36.3%). Around 1 in 11 (8.8%) adults aged 16 to 59 had taken an illicit drug in the last year which equated to around 2.7 million people. However, this proportion more than doubled when looking at the age subgroup of 16 to 24 year-olds (18.9%). 15.4% of all adults aged 16 to 59 and 12.9% of 16 to 24 year olds had taken a Class A drug in their lifetime. The trends in Class A drug use since 1996 for each age group follow similar patterns to use of any illicit drug. 12.9% of 16 to 24 year olds had taken a Class A drug in their lifetime (around 791,000 people). This was a decrease from 19.4% in The overall trend in the proportion of adults taking an illicit drug in the last year has been essentially stable at between 8% and 9% per cent since 2009 to 2010 following a period of decreasing rates from a peak in 2003 to (Prior to 2003 to 2004 the proportion remained broadly flat at around 12%). For all adults aged 16 to 59, the drug most commonly reported as ever used was cannabis, with around three-in-ten (29.9%) adults reporting using this drug at some point during their lifetime. Around one-inten adults said that they had used amphetamines (11.0%), powder cocaine (9.4%), ecstasy (9.3%) or amyl nitrite (9.1%) in their lifetime; For young adults (aged 16 to 24), the drugs most widely used ever were cannabis (30.8%), powder cocaine (9.3%) and ecstasy (9.0%). Societal Use of Legal Emerging Drugs The 2013 to 2014 Crime Survey for England and Wales asked questions on the last year use of legal emerging drugs salvia and nitrous oxide. 2.3% of adults aged 16 to 59 had taken nitrous oxide in the last year and 0.5% of adults aged 16 to 59 had taken salvia in the last year. For young adults aged 16 to 24, 7.6% had taken nitrous oxide in the last year and 1.8% had taken salvia in the last year. The RFU will continue to monitor reported trends in relation to societal drug use to ensure the programme continues to be relevant

21 Illicit Drugs Programme at a Glance 1000 fine for first offence for academy players 445 SAMPLES COLLECTED 4 MAJOR ILLICIT DRUG GROUPS TESTED: ZERO FORMAL ADMISSIONS OF USE 5,000 FINE FOR FIRST OFFENCE FOR SENIOR PLAYERS 79% OF SAMPLES ANALYSED WERE HAIR SAMPLES 2 first violations COCAINE CANNABIS ECSTASY AMPHETAMINES 3-7 month detection period for analysis of a hair sample

22 Objectives Concerns about the health and welfare of players and the image and reputation of rugby in England led the RFU to develop an illicit drugs policy and testing programme in partnership with Premiership Rugby and the RPA. Season 2014/15 was the fifth full season in which the illicit drugs programme was operational. The programme is run in a way that complements the anti-doping programme, consisting of entirely of out-of-competition tests for the four most commonly found illicit drugs: cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines. In Competition Out of Competition Performance Enhancing Illicit Drugs ANTI DOPING PROGRAMME RFU ILLICIT DRUGS PROGRAMME The two equally important principal objectives of the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme are: To protect the health and welfare of players. To protect and promote the image and reputation of rugby as a game free of illicit drugs. In striving to achieve these objectives, it is recognised and accepted that an integrated approach to education, deterrence and rehabilitation is the most appropriate method of deterring the use of illicit drugs and protecting the health and welfare of players. The implementation and administration of this programme by the RFU will be consistent with the achievement of these objectives

23 Education Education sessions were run by the RFU in conjunction with the RPA at all Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs with the aim of refreshing the players awareness of the programme, and to provide an introduction to any new players entering the league from the academy system, lower level clubs or from abroad. Specialist Assesment and Treatment Nightingale Hospital London is the first acute mental health hospital to have been formally accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) for its counselling and psychotherapy services. Players who need specialist assessment under the Illicit Drugs Programme (following a positive test result or admission of use) are referred to the Nightingale Hospital in London for expert assessment from a consultant psychiatrist and, if necessary, follow-up treatment. To date no player who has been assesed under the programme has been found to be a regular user of illicit drugs. Testing Programme This season s results suggest that although illicit drug use is present, it is far from widespread in the Aviva Premiership Rugby player pool. A total of 445 tests were undertaken, with two positive test results recorded. Both urine and hair tests were conducted at all clubs throughout the season, with additional focus placed on identified periods of higher risk. Selection was made from the senior playing squads and full time academy players of each club. Selection may be conducted at random or targeted at individuals or groups of players. In all, 66% of Aviva Premiership players were tested at least once, with some players tested on more than one occasion. In consultation with Alere Toxicology (the RFU s testing agency and sample analysis partner) the sample collection process has been designed to be as similar as possible to the sample collection procedure used for the anti-doping testing programme. Hair testing continues to be extensively utilised as part of the testing programme, now forming the majority of sample collections. The analysis of a hair sample can detect illicit drug use over an extended period of time in some cases up to seven months

24 Season 2014/15 Hair Urine Total tests conducted Admissions of Use Violations 0 2 Multi-Season Analysis Season Urine Hair Total Admissions of Use Violations 2014/ / / / /

25 Alere Toxicology Alere Toxicology provides over 10 million drug and alcohol tests each year for customers in over 75 countries. The RFU has been using the services of Alere for the past five years to conduct sample collection and analysis for the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme. Alere Toxicology is one of the largest providers of drug and alcohol testing in Europe. Eight world class laboratories provide legally defensible analytical services to the workplace, healthcare, criminal justice and sporting industries. The Global collection network is regularly trained and audited, collecting over 160,000 samples in 2014 across over 90 countries. We bring this expertise along with considerable experience when visiting RFU sites to collect urine and hair samples. Samples arrive at the laboratory completely anonymously with all player identifier details and sample paperwork sent directly back to RFU staff. Alere Toxicology provides chaperones when attending sites in a similar manner to WADA procedures, in order to protect players and collectors alike and create the most robust collection process possible. A full chain of custody is maintained from the point of collection through to sample analysis, results reporting and sample storage. Find out more at: Illicit Drugs Programme Violations The number of violations/admissions of use during Season 2014/15 has been slightly reduced compared to last season. Two violations have occurred and no admissions of use lodged. Under the policy strict confidentiality is maintained for all admissions of use and violations where it is a first offence. The RFU shall therefore not be reporting the detail of any individual cases. Phil Robinson, who played for Northampton Wanderers in the Aviva Premiership Rugby A-League as a last minute replacement, tested positive for cocaine via a WADA in-competition test. He is therefore not included in the statistics for the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme. It is important to note that he was not tested as part of the illicit drugs testing programme as he was a member of the club s support staff and was not a registered player. Next Season The initial objectives of the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme remain: to protect the health and welfare of players and to protect and promote the image of the game. To this end, the RFU will continue to run the illicit drugs programme in line with an integrated three-fold strategy; one of education, deterrence and rehabilitation. Education will be delivered in partnership with the RPA during pre-season to players at all Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs. The testing strategy for 2015/16 will reflect observations, intelligence and the results from the last four full seasons of the programme. The RFU will continue to utilise hair testing as a powerful tool to gain extended glimpses into drug use patterns within the player pool and to focus testing on times/ areas of potential higher risk. Assessment, counselling and rehabilitation programmes will continue to be available to any player who is eligible under the policy

26 Glossary of Terms ADAMS The Anti-Doping Administration and Management System, which is a web-based database management tool for data entry, storage, sharing, and reporting designed to assist stakeholders and WADA in their antidoping operations in conjunction with data protection legislation. Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) A report from a laboratory or other WADA approved entity that identifies in a Sample the presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers or evidence of the Use of a Prohibited Method. Code The World Anti-Doping Code 2009; it is the foundation of anti-doping rules and regulations. Doping Control All steps and processes from test distribution planning through to ultimate disposition of any appeal including all steps and processes in between such as provision of whereabouts information, Sample collection and handling, laboratory analysis, therapeutic use exemptions, results management and hearings. In Competition A Sample collection which takes place after a Player s participation or scheduled participation in a Match. Out of Competition Any Sample collection which is not In Competition. International Standard A standard adopted by WADA in support of the Code. International Standards shall include any Technical Documents issued pursuant to the International Standards. Standards documents include those covering Testing, Laboratories, Prohibited List, Therapeutic Use Exemptions and Protection of Privacy & Personal Information. Metabolite Any substance produced by a biotransformation process. Prohibited Substance Any substance so described on the Prohibited List

27 Minor A Player that has not reached the age of majority as established by the applicable laws in his country of residence. National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) The entity(ies), designated by each country as possessing the primary authority and responsibility to adopt and implement anti-doping rules. In the UK, this is UK Anti-Doping (UKAD). Prohibited List The list identifying the Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods issued annually by WADA. Registered Testing Pool (RTP) The pool of Players, established by the Board and at national level by the Unions (and/or their NADO, who are subject to both In Competition and Out of Competition Testing. TUE An exemption approved by a Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee based on a documented medical file to enable a Player to use an otherwise prohibited substance for medical reasons. Specific to the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) A report from the Testing Agent s laboratory which identifies in a Sample the presence of an Illicit Drug or its Metabolites or Markers or evidence of the Use of a Prohibited Method; Illicit Drug Any substance listed in the version of Schedule 1 of the RFU Illicit Drugs Policy which is current at the time of the Sample collection; Sample Any biological material, including urine, blood, hair (from any part of the body) and oral fluid, collected for the purposes of testing for Illicit Drugs; Programme Medical Director The Medical Practitioner (or his appointed deputy) who will provide day to day medical advice to the Programme; Programme Manager The person appointed by the RFU to manage and administer the Programme in accordance with the RFU Illicit Drugs Policy; Sample Collection Officer (SCO) The authorised person appointed and responsible for conducting and overseeing the Sample collection procedures. The SCO shall be independent and properly trained in Sample collection procedures

28

29

30 Contact Stephen Watkins Anti-Doping & Illicit Drugs Programme Manager E: T: Richard Nunn Anti-Doping & Illicit Drugs Programme Officer E: T: Rugby Football Union. The RFU Rose and the words England Rugby are official registered trade marks of the Rugby Football Union.