Young Sables in doping scandal

The Young Sables lost all three group matches against Japan, Georgia and Canada before winning a face-saving seventh and eighth play-off with winless Russia.
Now it has emerged that the International Rugby Board’s anti-doping team which conducted random tests at the tournament is preparing charges against as many as 13 players from the 26-man squad.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union general manager Sifiso Made said they were awaiting further information from the International Rugby Board which has its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.

A source said: “It potentially is one of the biggest sporting scandals in Zimbabwe’s history.”
Dominic Rumbles, the IRB’s head of communications, told New Zimbabwe.com by e-mail that rugby’s governing body had adopted a tough regime of doping tests to crack down on cheats in the game.

He said the IRU would only comment on the Zimbabwe players after hearings are conducted.
“You will be aware that the IRB as a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, operates a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs cheats in sport and undertakes an extensive annual programme of education and testing equating to over 5 000 tests,” he said.

“An extensive testing programme was undertaken at the recent IRB JWRT in Salt Lake City. It would be inappropriate to discuss the outcomes of such testing programmes prior to any results being received.
“In the event of a positive result, the IRB would not comment until parties are notified and final hearings into any such matter are concluded.”

Sources told New Zimbabwe.com that the Zimbabwe Rugby Union had become aware that several players were using banned substances during the Cottco Schools Rugby Festival held at Prince Edward School in Harare, but did little to take corrective measures.

A source said: “They conducted a workshop to enlighten school children on the dangers using performance enhancing drugs, but no disciplinary action was taken.”
Now the problem has come back to haunt the ZRU spectacularly with the affected players facing certain bans — potentially ending some promising careers. — New Zimbabwe.com.