The Irish Rugby Football Union said it does not encourage the use of caffeine as a stimulant for rugby players following yesterday's comments from the World Anti-Doping Agency that they are considering putting the stimulant back on the banned list.
The agency's reconsideration follows comments by Australia rugby captain George Gregan, who claimed on Tuesday that the caffeine tablets he takes prior to matches have helped boost his performance by up to 7 per cent.
Gregan said the taking of caffeine tablets prior to matches had been approved by the Australian Institute of Sport. However, Irish rugby's governing body holds a strongly different view.
"The IRFU do not encourage its players to use caffeine. Caffeine has never been encouraged or promoted by the IRFU," a spokesman said yesterday.
Caffeine tablets, which were removed from the banned list 18 months ago, are widely available in healthfood shops and directly affect heart rate and respiration.
While Gregan did not specify what amount of caffeine he took before games, recommended doses of 200mg are widely advertised on health-food websites. A 200mg caffeine tablet is equivalent to about two cups of coffee.
"Most guys take it before the game and that sustains them into half-time, when they'll do the usual thing of having water or a sports drink and that's it," said Gregan.
"You can get a 7 per cent extra workout from taking these tablets and that's a big increase at this end of the sport."
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Gary Flowers has said a few Australian under-19 players were also using the stimulant, adding that the union considered the use of caffeine tablets "appropriate" in a professional sporting environment.
"As far as the professional environment goes, performance-enhancing supplements are part of the professional game and we don't see a problem with it," he said.
"As far as children are concerned, there are obviously a whole bunch of training regimes and supplements that are not suitable for kids, and [caffeine tablets] fall into that category. I think the message is certainly one of education."
Gregan's comments have drawn criticism from various sources including the Australian Schools Union and former international players.
"It is stupid for George to say that," said former Australian test player David Campese. "I know they're not illegal but there are kids out there who look on George as a hero. I don't think he understands the true implications of what is a basic endorsement of this kind of substance."
