O'Sullivan wants drug cheats caught

On the day that the International Rugby Board informed the 20 nations competing in the World Cup that it will start testing for the new designer anabolic steroid THG, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said he hopes the authorities will keep catching the drug cheats.

Speaking in Adelaide 48 hours prior to Ireland’s critical Pool A qualifying game with Argentina at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, the Irish coach opened his heart on his condemnation of drugs in professional sport and brought the house down when he said: “We have delivered an ocean of urine this year.”

O’Sullivan said: “We’ve been tested to death this year, if you can use that term. We have been tested at all levels, at club, provincial, national, European Cup, 6 Nations, in competition, out of competition, at squad sessions and when we first arrived in Australia three weeks ago.

“We have delivered an ocean of urine and we are happy to do that. That’s the way it’s getting.

"That's all the Governing Bodies can do, keep testing and testing. It shows how clean rugby is trying to be and to be fair to the IRB and the governing bodies but they are actually doing everything they can do to keep the sport clean.

"Despite that, you will have people who will take risks and try to take advantages and I hope we keep catching them.

“There is no contrived scheme, it’s individually done. I don’t think any international union is involved in anything. It’s a team sport but individuals will take advantage. The rewards are quite high.

"There will always be that temptation. It’s always going to be a problem in professional sport because of its nature. The pressures are colossal on players. It is their livelihood and there is a lot of money to be made by succeeding in the sport.

“In any professional sport in the world there are people who will abuse drugs to get what they want.

"I think it is very sad. Rugby is no different. It’s a power sport, a collision sport where power and strength are critical. We will struggle with drugs in rugby. We just have to keep on the job. It's sad but it's true, it's a reflection on modern life.”