Villiers tests positive

- Prop Pieter De Villiers, who has tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy, is the first French rugby union international to fail a drugs test. Established doping cases are rare in French rugby union.

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The last one occurred in August when traces of corticoid, a drug used to treat illnesses like asthma, were found in a urine sample given by Nicolas Martin, a former Agen player who had moved to second-division Bayonne.

Martin pleaded that he was taking medication at the time of the test and was given a suspended one-month ban.

In October 2000, Xavier Sadourny, brother of international fullback Jean-Louis Sadourny, and Fijian international Viliame Satala, tested positive for cannabis.

Both players, who were with Montferrand and Mont-de-Marsan respectively, were banned for six months.

Former international scrumhalf and national coach Pierre Berbizier said in January 2001 that doping was "a reality in the French championship" and accused the French federation of "burying their head in the sand".

He was heavily criticised by French federation president, Bernard Lapasset, and French League chairman, Serge Blanco.

"SPIRIT OF RUGBY"

France manager Jo Maso said after the last French November tour that he would mercilessly punish any doping infringement.

"I have told the members of the squad that I would regard a player convicted of a doping offence as disgracing himself, his country and his sport and that I would immediately kick him out of the squad never to come back as long as I am in charge."

As soon as he heard De Villiers had tested positive, France coach Bernard Laporte said the South African-born prop would not be picked for the opening Six Nations match against England this month.

"Pieter cannot play at Twickenham because that would not be good for the spirit of rugby," Laporte said.

De Villiers, 30, made his international debut for France in 1999 after moving to the country from South Africa in 1995 to play for Stade Francais. He has played 29 times for his adopted country.