In their report for the 2012/13 season published on Friday, the Irish Rugby Football Union disclosed a marked decrease in the number of drug tests on senior international players.
The report shows that 19 anti-doping tests were carried out on players categorised as the ‘senior XV’ of Ireland’s international rugby squad, in 2011/12 there were 73, a 74% decrease. Of this season’s 19, two were samples taken in-competition.
However, the official report released has also shown an increase in testing carried out at provincial, under 20 and academy level.
Dr. Una May director of anti-doping for the Irish Sports Council (ISC), who oversee the tests, explains that the IRFU grouping of players is different from the ISC approach.