A leading medical expert has added to the allegations of drug-taking in French rugby with claims that it was "common practice" to give international players amphetamines before Five Nations matches during the 1970s and 80s.
Earlier this week former national coach Pierre Berbizier spoke out against alleged widespread drug abuse in the domestic French game. This prompted the sport's governing body to demand an investigation.
Berbizier claimed drugs had become a "reality" in top-flight rugby in France - an allegation rejected by Serge Blanco, Berbizier's former team-mate and now president of the French National League.
But Dr Jean-Pierre de Mondenard, author of several books on drug-taking in sport, has added weight to the allegations of France's 1987 World Cup final skipper, intimating doping has been going on for many years.
"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," said de Mondenard in today's Daily Mail.
"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." PA