Georgia respond to doping scandal as 'serious blow' to rugby's reputation

Earlier this month, World Rugby and WADA confirmed six players and one coach from the Georgian squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup were found in breach of doping controls, citing 'an orchestrated scheme involving recreational drugs' and 'sample substitution.

As part of their findings, all seven were charged and sanctioned; however, reports suggest five are going through the appeals process.

The findings also came on the eve of their Rugby Europe Championship Final against  Portugal, which Os Lobos won 19-17.

In a statement, the GRU said: "Georgia Rugby Union responds to information released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and World Rugby, which indicates that several anti-doping rule violations involving the Georgia 15s team occurred during an extended period of time prior to the Men's Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

"We fully acknowledge the seriousness of these matters. In response to questions from supporters, we confirm that the individuals involved have not been members of the national team since the 2023/24 season. It should be noted that since that time, no current national team player or Georgian rugby player has been identified or charged with an anti-doping rule violation.

"From the outset of the process, Georgia Rugby Union has cooperated fully and transparently with WADA and World Rugby. We were given strict instructions by these bodies to refrain from public comment and disclosure of details until the investigation could be conducted thoroughly, impartially and in accordance with the applicable procedures. It was in observance of this protocol that we withheld comment until now."

"We recognise that these events have inflicted a serious blow to the reputation of Georgian rugby. We have launched intensive work and implemented stringent measures to prevent similar incidents - we are doing everything in our power to ensure such violations do not recur in rugby."