Doctor adds to drugs scandal in French rugby
A leading medical expert has added to the allegations of widespread drug taking in French rugby during the 1970s and 80s.
Dr Jean-Pierre de Mondenard claims that it was "common practice" to give international players amphetamines before Five Nations matches.
The French authorities are to carry out an investigation after former national coach Pierre Berbizier spoke out against alleged widespread drug abuse in the domestic game.
The former French captain's allegations that drugs have become a "reality" in top-flight French rugby have already been refuted by former team-mate and now president of the French National League Serge Blanco
But Dr de Mondenard, author of several books on drug-taking in sport, intimating that doping has been going on for many years.
De Mondenard said: "In the 70s, a French international admitted to me that the team doctor gave them Captagon for the Five Nations matches and told them that they were vitamins.
"Captagon is a well-known amphetamine. Taking it was common practice. For each French match the doctor provided the team with some of it. It was happening in rugby league as well, though nobody took an interest.
"Another international in the 1970s, who today often passes comment in the media, confirmed to me that the use of amphetamines was common occurrence, even general practice, during the 70s and 80s."
