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English rugby is to bring in tough new drug tests this season to save the sport from further damage following the banning of five Bath players.
For the first time players will be tested for drugs such as cocaine and marijuana outside of match days.
It follows six months of shame for the sport, and in particular Bath Rugby Club, which has seen their prop Matt Stevens banned for two years for using cocaine and then lock Justin Harrison suspended for eight months for admitting three drugs offences.
Yesterday three other Bath players Michael Lipman, Andrew Higgins and Alex Crockett were each banned for nine months for refusing to take two drugs tests ordered by their club.
A working party to tackle the issue was launched before the Stevens case came to light.
At present, players can be tested for performance-enhancing drugs and recreational drugs during a set time window on match day.
Outside of this players are only tested for performance-enhancing drugs.
It is understood the working party of representatives of the Rugby Football Union, Premier Rugby and the Professional Rugby Players Association are backing the introduction of testing for illicit drugs across the week.
With the move being approved by all sections of the working party it is set to come into force this season, which kicks off on 4 September.
A senior Premiership official explained: "The need for action is clear. We all want to do what is necessary to keep our houses in order.
"Despite the Bath situation, rugby doesn't have a serious drugs problem but we would be naive not to do everything we can to police the game."
Chief executive of the PRA, Damian Hopley, said: "The image of rugby has taken a hammering and the PRA have been a strong advocate about educating players so they are fully aware of the potential pitfalls out there."
