The 2012 IRB Anti-Doping Handbook is now available for download from www.keeprugbyclean.com, underscoring the governing body’s commitment to best-practice education and information.

Available in eight languages, the one-stop resource is designed to educate and inform players, coaches, physicians and administrators at all levels of the Game about key Anti-Doping procedures.

The Handbook contains the 2012 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE’s), urine and blood testing procedures, nutritional supplements, and substance factsheets.

The IRB and its Member Unions operate a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs cheats in sport and an annual programme of over 5000 tests is complimented by extensive outreach educational programmes run at IRB tournaments and by Member Unions to ensure that players do not mistakes which could easily be avoided.

IRB Anti-Doping Manager Tim Ricketts said: “The IRB Anti-Doping Handbook is an essential resource for every player at any level. Rugby has a very good record, but it is built on a solid process of education to ensure that players understand not only the dangers of doping, but also that they are ultimately responsible for any prohibited substance found in their system.”

“Collectively it is our responsibility to ensure players continue to be appropriately educated. The IRB’s Keep Rugby Clean programme achieved great visibility at Rugby World Cup 2011 and has captured over 5000 up and coming professional players over the past four years. This resource is another key element of that educational process.”

To download the 2012 Anti-Doping Handbook click here, or for more information on the IRB's Anti-Doping programme or resources, visit www.keeprugbyclean.com.

Thanks to the Georgia Rugby Union, Georgia Anti-Doping Agency, Japan Anti-Doping Agency, National Anti-Doping Agency of Romania, and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency for their assistance with translation.

Editors Notes:
Handbook languages: English and French, Spanish, Georgian, Italian, Japanese, Romanian and Russian.