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Day Three Marks ‘Keep Rugby Clean’ Day At WRWC 2017

Players at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 have renewed their commitment to the fight against doping as ‘Keep Rugby Clean’ Day is marked at the tournament in Ireland.

All 12 squads received anti-doping education sessions in the last week as they joined the thousands of players and coaches across the rugby family who have already received face-to-face ‘Keep Rugby Clean’ education.

Match day three at WRWC 2017 sees teams wear ‘Keep Rugby Clean’ T-shirts during warm-ups, as they highlight their support for the initiative and for World Rugby’s drive to keep the game drug-free.

World Rugby’s General Manager of Anti-Doping, Mike Earl, said: “Doping remains one of the biggest threats to the integrity of sport and World Rugby continues to be committed to protecting clean athletes through intelligent testing programmes and effective, values-based education.

“Our approach to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland reflects this commitment. The event and pre-event education and testing programmes form part of what is an increasingly scientific and targeted overall programme within the sport. We must continue to deter cheats and educate aspiring rugby players that there are no short cuts to the top. The programme at WRWC 2017 is an essential way of achieving this objective within the Women’s game.”

Speaking after her side’s education session, Ireland winger/full-back Hannah Tyrrell said: “You have to be really aware of everything that you’re taking, your diet and your nutrition. We want to protect the integrity of the sport and keep the sport clean and this is one way of doing it.”

World Rugby operates a zero-tolerance stance to drugs cheats in rugby. A comprehensive global testing programme, run in conjunction with Unions and national anti-doping committees is underpinned by robust education regarding the dangers and consequences of doping.

Last year World Rugby’s in and out-of-competition programme, run in partnership with national member Unions, national and regional anti-doping organisations, saw 2,387 blood and urine controls undertaken across Men’s and Women’s Sevens and 15s programmes. This fully intelligent, risk-based programme saw 77% taken out of competition across 65 nations.

For more information, visit keeprugbyclean.com.