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This is what I've heard/been told too. There was a telling interview with the Exeter player called up for England a couple of weeks ago, the first thing Eddie Jones asked him every time he saw him was 'how much do you weigh', as he was constantly pressuring him to bulk up.
I'd be very surprised if doping wasn't prevalent in top level rugby with the requirement for endurance, large muscle mass and constant recovery from injuries/wear and tear.
Currid-
I'd be very surprised if doping wasn't prevalent in top level rugby with the requirement for endurance, large muscle mass and constant recovery from injuries/wear and tear.
I think all you need for doping to present is for there to be competition and for it to be performance enhancing. Where there is more money at stake it will be more prevalent.
What am I saying - only cycling has a doping problem.
MrSweary
I always assumed that the doping regime for rugby players was to bulk up at amateur level and then enjoy the benefits through your pro career without actually having to dope as a pro. For the top clubs, it's well worth telling young hopefuls to come back when they've put on 10kg of lean mass rather than taking them on in their undoped state and having to build them up while they're in the sights of the anti-doping police. If a few of them get popped on the way, it's no great loss to the clubs and they can keep pretending that elite level players don't dope.