Testing worldwide is conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency Code and the International Standard for Testing & Investigations.  You may be tested any number of times in a season and even on consecutive days.

Urine sample collection

1. Notification

You can be selected for testing either at random or targeted. A Doping Control Official (DCO) will notify you that you have been selected for Doping Control showing you their identification and authority to test. Without identification the DCO has no right to test you.  They will inform you of your rights and responsibilities, ask you to sign a Doping Control form confirming your acceptance to complete the test and will then escort you to the Doping Control Station.

A failure to comply with the request to provide a sample may be considered an anti-doping rule violation and may result in a sanction of four years.

You are entitled to have a representative and/or interpreter accompany you to the Doping Control Station. If you are a minor you are strongly advised to bring a representative with you.

You should report to the Doping Control Station as soon as possible, however you may request a delay to complete any of the following activities whilst remaining in direct view of a Doping Control official and within one hour of being notified:

i. Attend a victory ceremony;

ii. Fulfil media commitments;

iii. Perform a warm-down or take an ice bath;

iv. Be medically assessed and receive any necessary medical attention;

v. Change out of your playing Kit;

vi. Locate a representative and/or interpreter;

vii. Obtain relevant identification;

viii. Complete a training session if selected for out of competition testing;

ix. Any other exceptional circumstances which may be justified and which shall be documented.

2. Selection of Collection Vessel

You will be provided with a choice of individually sealed collection vessels in which to provide your sample. After making your selection check the collection vessel has not been tampered with and is clean inside.

3. Provision of Sample

You are required to provide a sample in direct view of a Doping Control official of the same gender. This means you should remove items of clothing from your knees to your midriff and from your hands to your elbows to provide an unobstructed view of the sample leaving your body. You should also wash your hands prior to and after providing your sample.

4. Volume of Urine

The minimum volume of urine required is 90ml. However, you should provide more if possible. If you provide less than 90ml it will be treated as a Partial Sample, temporarily sealed, documented and stored by the Doping Control Officer (DCO).  A further sample will be required which will be added to your Partial Sample to meet the minimum volume.

5. Selection of Sample Collection Kit

Once you have provided 90ml you will be asked to choose a tamperproof Sample collection kit in which to seal your Sample. Check the kit has not been tampered with, open the kit, remove the A and B bottles and verify that the numbers on the bottles are identical.

6. Splitting the Sample

The DCO will instruct you to pour the correct amount of urine into the B bottle and then the A bottle. You will be asked to leave a small amount of urine in the collection vessel.

7. Sealing the Sample

The bottles can now be sealed. The DCO should verify that both bottles have been sealed correctly.

8. Measuring Specific Gravity

The residual urine left in your collection vessel will be measured for specific gravity to ensure the quality of the Sample is suitable for analysis. If the Sample does not meet the minimum requirements, i.e., it is too dilute, you may be asked to provide additional Samples.  If you are dehydrated or over hydrated you must stay and give extra samples. You will not be allowed to elect to give blood instead. It is therefore very important that you do not over hydrate before you provide your Sample.

9. Paperwork

The Doping Control form must be completed, checked and signed by you, the DCO and any representative you have with you. You should declare any medications you have taken in the last seven days and can make any comments you have about the Doping Control process. You will receive a copy of the Doping Control form which completes the process.

10. Laboratory Analysis

Your Sample is then sent to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Accredited Laboratory for analysis. A section of the Doping Control form containing only your Sample details (no name) will accompany your Sample to the laboratory. The laboratory will not know whose sample is being tested.  A copy of the result will be sent to the relevant authorities.

Drug Testing Procedures

Doping control plays an essential part in promoting and protecting doping-free Rugby. You can be tested (by urine or blood) anywhere and at any time but the doping control procedures should remain consistent no matter where you are in the world.