Players at the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 in Georgia will come together on Tuesday to show their support for fair sport on Keep Rugby Clean Day.
All of the players preparing for the final round of pool matches in Tbilisi and Kutaisi will wear distinctive t-shirts during their warm-ups in a collective stance against doping.
Keep Rugby Clean is World Rugby’s anti-doping education and awareness programme.
It aims to deter doping by educating participants on their responsibilities, raising awareness of doping risks and fostering an ethical clean-sport ethos across our game.
Connor Treacey, who will captain England in their Pool C decider against Argentina in Tbilisi, said: “Keep Rugby Clean is an initiative that supports us playing the game with honesty and pride, meaning every performance is earned the right way.
“Rugby is built on core values of respect and fairness, and we owe it to our teammates, opponents and the next generation to protect the integrity of the sport.
“The education World Rugby provided showed us as a squad that staying clean isn’t just about rules, it’s about taking ownership of our health and standing up for the values of the game.”
Honesty and respect
A sentiment echoed by his France counterpart Lucas Andjisseramatchi, who acknowledged the importance of education in the sport and for the U20 teams to support the programme.
“Keep Rugby Clean means playing the game with honesty and respect, both for myself and for everyone on the pitch with me,” said Andjisseramatchi ahead of his side’s Pool D decider with Australia in Kutaisi.
“It matters because rugby is built on trust, trust in your teammates, your opponents, and the values of the sport itself, and that trust breaks down the moment someone tries to cut corners.
“Through the Keep Rugby Clean education, I learned just how easily an athlete can make an anti-doping mistake without even realising it, whether through a supplement or a simple lack of awareness, and how important it is to check everything before you take it.
“It gave me the tools and the confidence to protect my own career and to help guide my teammates in doing the same.”
Competing with integrity
South Africa captain Siphosethu Mnebelele, whose side faces Wales in the Pool A decider in Tbilisi, believes setting an example to future generations is an important part of protecting the game's
“The Keep Rugby Clean campaign isn't just about following rules; it’s about protecting the integrity of the game we love,” he said.
“As young players on the world stage, we owe it to our team-mates, our opponents, and the next generation of kids looking up to us to compete with total honesty. True strength is built through hard work, discipline, and clean dedication —nothing else. We play clean to keep the spirit of rugby alive."
A sentiment echoed by Georgia captain Luka Narsia: “For me, Keep Rugby Clean means respecting the game, my team-mates, my opponents, and myself. Rugby is built on values like integrity, respect, and discipline, and it's our responsibility to protect those values every time we step onto the field. Every player deserves a fair and safe environment to compete, and playing clean helps build trust within the team, inspires younger generations, and preserves the true spirit of rugby.
“The education we received reinforced the importance of making responsible decisions both on and off the field. It reminded us that every choice we make reflects not only on ourselves but also on our team and our country. As captain, I believe leading by example is essential, because keeping rugby clean is a shared responsibility that starts with each individual player.”
Level playing field
Japan captain Akihiro Tsubone is keen to stress that, regardless of the result, competing on a level playing field is of paramount importance.
He explained what the Keep Rugby Clean message means to him as he prepares to lead Japan out against Scotland in Kutaisi, saying: “To me, Keep Rugby Clean is a programme that teaches me about my responsibilities in anti-doping and what I need to know to compete with integrity.
“It is something that is more important than winning or losing. It helps protect a fair and equal playing environment where everyone can compete on the same terms.”
Asked what valuable lessons he had learned from the Keep Rugby Clean education he had received, the influential back-row replied: “I learned that doping has absolutely no value.
“As players, we will never do it, never encourage it, and never tolerate it. We are committed to protecting the integrity of our sport.”
Josh Findlay, who captains New Zealand against Italy in the top of Pool B encounter, added: “Keeping rugby clean protects players’ health while rewarding hard work and commitment. It shows respect for the game we all love through the integrity of our actions, creating a fair and level playing field for all to enjoy.”
World Rugby work closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national anti-doping organisations to deter intentional doping behaviours and avoid accidental doping.
For more information on the Keep Rugby Clean campaign, please visit to www.world.rugby/keep-rugby-clean.