England coach Martin Johnson believes his players are unlikely to fail drugs test
England coach Martin Johnson has stated that the English players would be unlikely to fail a drugs tests or find themselves in a similar situation to the one that South Africa have found themselves in.
South Africa winger Bjorn Basson and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle were suspended from South Africa’s tour of Britain and Ireland, after the two players failed a drugs test following their 23-21 win over Ireland in their opening Test of the Autumn Internationals.
The Springbok team doctor, Craig Roberts described the area surrounding prescribing player’s supplements or medication as a “minefield”, after Basson and Ralepelle were given medication for flu.
However, Johnson feels that the English set-up is different. Johnson admitted that the English coaching staff and medical team are extremely cautious in subjecting their players to anything that could cause their players to fail a drugs test.
"We haven't changed anything about what we do because we are careful anyway. You have got to be very careful. Tiny amounts of substance can get detected nowadays and suddenly you fail a drugs test. It is very easy for that to happen,” he told reporters.
The English coach admitted that even when he was captain of England, players had to be careful in case they subjected themselves to trace amounts of substances that were deemed illegal by the Anti Doping Agency.
"Even when I was playing, way back in the distant past, there was fear of cross-contamination. It is amazing there isn't more,” he said.
Johnson indicated that the system in place within the England camp is very transparent and this makes it easy for the players, coaches, dieticians and medical team to keep tabs on what players should or should not take.
"We had the testers in last week. There has been a lot of testing going on and I am very happy that what we have got in place with our guys is thorough. It has to be," he said.
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