Rugby is a sport celebrated for its physicality, teamwork, and raw displays of strength and endurance. From the bone-crunching tackles of rugby union to the relentless pace of rugby league, the game demands peak athletic performance. However, this pursuit of excellence has, at times, led players down a darker path: the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). While doping scandals have long plagued sports like cycling and athletics, rugby has not escaped scrutiny. Among the substances drawing attention in recent years are peptides, a class of compounds increasingly linked to doping in rugby and other sports. This article explores the use of PEDs in rugby, with a focus on commonly used peptides, the motivations behind their use, the risks involved, and the ongoing efforts to combat doping in the sport.

The Landscape of PEDs in Rugby

The use of PEDs in sports is not a new phenomenon. Historical records suggest athletes in ancient times consumed herbs and meats to gain an edge, but modern doping involves sophisticated substances designed to enhance strength, speed, and recovery.

In rugby, a sport where size, power, and resilience are prized, PEDs have found a foothold at both elite and recreational levels. The game’s physical demands such as the scrums of rugby union or the high-intensity sprints of rugby league- create a tempting environment for players seeking shortcuts to success.

Data from anti-doping agencies like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national bodies such as UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) indicate that rugby consistently ranks among sports with notable anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). For instance, UKAD has reported that rugby union attracts a significant percentage of ADRVs in the UK, with violations ranging from anabolic steroids to stimulants.

While elite-level cases often grab headlines, such as the four-year ban of South African-born player Brandon Staples in 2017 for steroid use, recreational and semi-professional tiers have also seen rampant PED use.

Why Rugby Players Turn to PEDs

The motivations for using PEDs in rugby are multifaceted. At the professional level, the pressure to perform is immense. Players face expectations from coaches, fans, and sponsors to deliver results, often in highly competitive environments like the Rugby World Cup or the Six Nations. A single injury can derail a career, making rapid recovery a priority. At the recreational level, the desire for size and muscularity often stems from societal ideals and team cultures that equate physical dominance with success. A study of Welsh rugby union players found that perceptions of size and strength, reinforced by coaches and peers, drove some athletes to doping substances.

Financial incentives also play a role. Success in rugby can lead to lucrative contracts, endorsements, and bonuses, particularly for players in top leagues like the English Premiership or Super Rugby. For others, the aesthetic appeal of a muscular physique—whether for personal pride or external validation—further fuels PED use. These factors create a complex web of influences, pushing players toward substances that promise to enhance performance or appearance.

Peptides: The New Frontier of Doping in Rugby

Among the array of PEDs available, peptides have emerged as a popular choice in rugby and other sports. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, that can mimic or stimulate the body’s natural hormones. Unlike anabolic steroids, which directly increase muscle mass and carry well-known side effects, peptides often work indirectly by triggering the release of growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This subtlety makes them attractive to athletes, as they can be harder to detect in standard doping tests. More information about these substances can be found inside Peptide Wikipedia. 

Several peptides have gained notoriety in doping circles, including those commonly used in rugby:

1. 1. GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2)
      GHRP-2 stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone, which promotes muscle growth, fat loss, and faster recovery. Its ability to enhance lean muscle mass and aid in injury repair makes it appealing to rugby players, who often endure punishing physical demands. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Josh Ravin’s 2016 suspension for GHRP-2 use in Major League Baseball highlights its crossover appeal in high-contact sports.

1. 1. GHRP-6 (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-6)
      Similar to GHRP-2, GHRP-6 boosts growth hormone levels but is also known for increasing appetite, which can help players bulk up during off-season training. Its use was flagged in the Australian Crime Commission’s 2013 report on doping in Australian sports, implicating rugby league players among others. The peptide’s anabolic effects and relatively low cost have made it a staple in bodybuilding and rugby communities.

1. 1. CJC-1295
      CJC-1295 is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that amplifies the body’s natural GH production over an extended period. Often paired with GHRPs for a synergistic effect, it’s prized for its ability to improve muscle repair and endurance—key attributes in rugby’s grueling matches. Its longer half-life compared to other peptides adds to its allure for athletes seeking sustained benefits.

1. 1. Ipamorelin
      Ipamorelin is another GHRP that selectively stimulates GH release without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin levels, reducing some side effects associated with other peptides. Atlanta Braves pitcher Andrew McKirahan’s 2015 ban for Ipamorelin use underscores its presence in professional sports. In rugby, its appeal lies in promoting recovery and lean muscle gains without the bloating linked to steroids.

1. 1. AOD-9604
      AOD-9604, a fragment of human growth hormone, is designed to burn fat and aid tissue repair without directly enhancing muscle strength. While not explicitly banned by WADA, its use in sports has raised ethical questions, especially since it’s not approved for human use in many countries. The Australian Crime Commission linked it to rugby players in 2013, noting its popularity as a “legal gray area” substance.

These peptides are often sourced from underground markets or online suppliers, marketed as “research chemicals” to skirt regulations. Their availability, combined with claims of minimal side effects compared to steroids, has fueled their rise in rugby.

The Risks and Side Effects

While peptides may seem like a safer alternative to traditional PEDs, they carry significant risks. Short-term effects include water retention, increased appetite, and elevated blood sugar levels, which can strain the body during intense training. Long-term use may desensitize the body to insulin, raising the risk of diabetes, or disrupt natural hormone production, leading to dependency.

The lack of regulation in peptide production poses additional dangers. Many products are manufactured in unregulated facilities, potentially contaminated or mislabeled. Rugby players injecting these substances with non-sterile needles face risks of infection or abscesses. Moreover, the long-term safety of peptides remains understudied, leaving athletes as unwitting test subjects in a high-stakes experiment.

Beyond physical risks, the consequences of detection are severe. WADA prohibits peptides under section S2.2 of its Prohibited List, and a positive test can result in bans of up to four years, as seen in cases like Staples’. Careers can crumble, reputations tarnish, and the psychological toll of public shaming can be profound.

Anti-Doping Efforts in Rugby

Rugby’s governing bodies, including World Rugby and national federations, have ramped up efforts to curb PED use. Testing has increased at elite levels, with World Rugby conducting hundreds of tests annually, both in and out of competition. Advances in detection methods, such as biological passports that monitor hormone levels over time, have improved the ability to catch peptide users. High-profile sanctions serve as deterrents, signaling that doping carries a steep price.

However, challenges remain. Testing at lower levels is sporadic due to funding constraints, allowing PED use to flourish unchecked in amateur and semi-professional ranks. Education is another hurdle—many players lack awareness of what constitutes a banned substance, especially with peptides marketed as supplements. Initiatives like the Welsh Rugby Union’s push for targeted education aim to address this gap, encouraging safe training practices over shortcuts.

The Ethical Dilemma

The use of PEDs in rugby raises broader questions about fairness and integrity. Rugby prides itself on values like respect and camaraderie, yet doping undermines these principles, giving users an unfair advantage. Some argue that the line between legal supplements (e.g., creatine) and banned substances like peptides is blurry, complicating the ethical landscape. Others contend that the pressure to perform in a hyper-competitive sport drives players to doping, suggesting systemic issues—such as overemphasis on size and inadequate recovery time—need addressing.

Conclusion

The use of PEDs, particularly peptides, in rugby reflects a tension between the sport’s physical demands and its commitment to fair play. Some PEDs may improve performance yet, the risks, health complications, bans, and ethical breaches, cast a long shadow. As rugby evolves, stronger anti-doping measures, better education, and a cultural shift toward natural performance may hold the key to preserving the sport’s spirit. For now, the battle against PEDs remains a defining challenge for rugby’s future.