King's will play a central role in supporting anti-doping efforts at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, which takes place in England and begins on Friday.
Led by Professor Kim Wolff, the Drug Control Centre (DCC) will analyse player samples in the run up and throughout the tournament. The DCC lab, the only World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited lab in the UK, is internationally recognised for its expertise and high standards in anti-doping science.
My team at the Drug Control Centre will be working hard in the run up and all through the tournament to analyse the samples collected by UKAD's Doping Control Personnel. It is rightly a less public aspect to the tournament but one that is critical to the credibility of the sport."
Professor Kim Wolff, Head of the Drug Control Centre and Director of King's Forensics
She continued: "I am proud of the dedicated hard work of my expert analytical scientists and support staff and of a WADA Lab that is internationally lauded for the high standards and quality of its work. All the best to all the players for a terrific tournament."
The testing programme is being delivered in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), which will send out a team of Doping Control Personnel to collect samples from players. Jane Rumble, Chief Executive of UKAD described how safeguarding the integrity of the sport was essential for fans.
Jane Rumble, Chief Executive of UKAD, said: "It is wonderful to see the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 on England turf in stadiums across the country. We are delighted to be delivering the testing programme at this prestigious international event.
The public needs and wants to know that the players we admire and support are completing clean - 100% authentic, playing with integrity and pride. We wish all the teams well for a fair and well-fought tournament."
Jane Rumble, Chief Executive of UKAD
The measures form part of a wider effort by World Rugby, UKAD and the UK Government to champion fair play and protect clean athletes.
The tournament runs from 22 August to 27 September and takes place at stadiums across England.
