Why size matters; rugby union and doping

•Welsh Rugby Union players perceive size and muscularity are important.•Perceptions stem from performance related and societal factors.•Some athletes use doping substances to fulfil these perceived demands.•Acknowledgment of these factors should inform future Anti-Doping education.•The health of recreational athletes should be a primary focus.•Traditional understandings of doping ought to be re-evaluated. Rugby Union is a sport where physical attributes such as strength, speed and power, are highly desirable. To this end, there have been suggestions that rugby players might use doping substances to fulfil these said demands. The present study comprises interviews with thirteen doped recreational Welsh Rugby Union players. The study examined: (i) perceived physical demands of rugby; (ii) motivations to lift weights and follow specific diets; and (iii) the motivating factors to use nutritional and doping substances. Participants detail novel insight into doping within recreational Welsh rugby and reaffirm the perception that size matters. Specific factors such as coach reinforcement, age group categories and level of competition, contribute to this perception. Notably, however, participants use/d doping substances for multiple reasons that were context-sensitive, each carrying different weight and influenced by temporal and developmental dimensions. Importantly, most players also referred to factors outside of rugby participation. These findings have important implications for the Welsh Rugby Union and National Anti-Doping Organisations. We recommend that the Welsh Rugby Union target these potentially doping-inducing perceptions, offering more non-elite focused education for both athletes and coaches, with a focus on safe and healthy weight and size gaining practices.