Joe Schmidt questions evidence of supplement abuse in rugby

Schmidt weighs in his opinion on the alleged doping problem in rugby.

Joe Schmidt claims that supplement abuse in rugby isn't an issue he has come across during his time in management. The alleged problem of drugs in rugby has been a hot topic recently but Schmidt maintains that there is little to prove that such a problem exists in the game.

I think someone has written a book and a few other people, probably on the back of that, decided to highlight a few things. But I would question the amount of evidence. One thing I am very aware of is how often they come into camp and get tested. We never know when they [drug testers] are coming in or who they are going to test. I don’t know of any positive tests during my time with Ireland.

Rugby has come under criticism from certain individuals for the use of supplements at an underage level. Schmidt countered this argument saying that from his own experiences with his son Tim playing for Terenure College, it is not an issue at underage level either.

I see school games and I see very much a range of sizes. I know my son played three years of Senior Cup and is, wringing wet, about 60 kilos. I can guarantee that, if there is any supplements he is taking, they either work very, very badly or there is nothing to be seen there. I can’t speak for other parents, but that’s my experience of schools’ rugby.

He also commended the medical staff employed by the IRFU for keeping the sport safe and admitted that any alleged doping scandal should be the concern of the professional testers.

My experience in the professional game is that the supplementation... if you burn 6,000 calories a day, you have to eat five meals a day and you know these guys have to fuel a massive calorie out-take. I don’t see any abuse of supplements in what I’ve been working with and, if there is such an abuse, then I am not the person to follow it up. There are people who are testing. People like Rod [McLaughlin, head of the IRFU’s medical services] are doing a super job. People who assure people are kept safe and particularly, obviously, in rugby in Ireland. Yeah, it is a difficult one to comment on and I am no different to anyone else, [in that] I am on the outside looking in.

Hat-tip to Irish Examiner