RFU set to begin out-of-competition drug testing

RUGBY UNION players in England are set to become the first in the world to be tested for cocaine and other social drugs outside of competition.

The game in England has been rocked in recent months after former Bath players Matt Stevens and Justin Harrison both received lengthy suspensions for cocaine use.

Three ex-Bath players – Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins – were suspended for nine months on Monday for missing two drug tests following an end-of-season party.