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Comments
zambokke says...
Codeine or morphine can help with pain, but can obviously also help to numb you when you give or take big hits. BUT, the negative affect is drowsiness, slowness of thought etc - not exactly a help to a rugby player. In France, codeine based drugs are very normal. I can't see a ban coming from this.
Posted 09:29 03rd August 2012
Ripzy007 says...
Is it stupid or this is what mediocre players do; cheat to get noticed and be at the level of other good decent players...just saying
Posted 00:42 03rd August 2012
crunchfit says...
Given that it is so common to be given painkillers with codeine in them in France, Armitage and the coaching staff should be well aware of this problem.
It may just have been stupidity or laziness, but the reason for most positive tests is due to not taking enough care in checking what is and what is not allowed to be taken. It is up to those taking it to check. This has all happened and been said before yet it goes on. Perhaps stern punishments for even the lighter offenses should be given.
Posted 14:18 27th July 2012
APV1 says...
@ porridge_time - you really are an unpleasant member of the forum, aren't you. I was once told that if I had nothing nice to say, then it was better not to say anything at all. I have yet to read a post from you which is complimentary. If I've missed one, then I apologise, but really..?!
Stop your anti-everything trolling and stop being a twerp.
Posted 09:31 27th July 2012
Bones7 says...
looking at that picture they should be more concerned about his diet than any medication he's taking!
Posted 09:13 27th July 2012
Bash says...
Porridge_time is clearly sarcastic or trolling, I mean who here hasn't taken paracetamol?! It's just that in France codeine is quite commonly prescribed, the French doctors are known to overly subscribe medications even for a simple headache (I've lived there)
Heart_of_oak I do think it goes to public domain straight away, remember when chilliboy and basson were suspected of taking stuff when playing for south Africa? Te results were then overturned. What about in cycling when you hear straight away about a positive dope test?
Posted 07:54 27th July 2012
porridge_time says...
Taking a banned substance is cheating and got found out.
Posted 02:10 27th July 2012
kybone says...
heathy- Its nothing to do with not reading the article. The reason you've got comments flying at you is because anyone with even the most minute knowledge of rugby would know that we're in the closed season at the moment. Hence why we had the end of season summer internationals last month.
Posted 21:07 26th July 2012
heart_of_oak says...
This story has been published before Armitage is due to appear at the anti doping commission. Am I the only person to wonder how it is that there's a story in the press at all ?
It would seem that someone has leaked this to the press, possibly for financial gain. If so, then that person has acted in what I believe to be a criminal manner. If Armitage is cleared of any wrong doing, then the French authorities need to find out who leaked this - if indeed it was leaked - and punish that person. But perhaps I'm wrong and perhaps test results are in the public domain immediately after the tests are taken. If so, I'd find this strange.
There are bound to be suspect results from time to time, yet with perfectly innocent explanations. If you just publish the suspect results and you don't provide the innocent explanation, then you unfairly blacken a player's reputation.
By all means castigate someone who has been found guilty of an offence. But for all we know, Armitage is completely innocent. If so, then if I were him, I would consult a lawyer to seek compensation.
Posted 17:16 26th July 2012
heathy says...
Yep guys, very sorry for not reading the article as clearly the final had gone. I would suggest you hang me in the streets and wrip my guts out for slipping up here. Thanks for the replies though. Bash - fair comment. NHsaints - No need to be so abbusive as it just shows a lack of class.
Posted 16:13 26th July 2012
Bash says...
Frooschman and Bones7,
I've commented on the article twice already and I have to say that the first time reading it did not have all that information on paracetamol codeine and morphine, simply that he tested, obviously some people will jump straight to conclusions unfortunately.
PlanetRugby update the article as they get info I guess so not everyone will have read what is posted right now.
Posted 15:46 26th July 2012
kybone says...
heathy- ' He'll miss the final and get a slap on the wrist and a fine I would imagine. Idiot!!' I think thats the funniest thing i've ever read on here! The final was last month! Do you even follow rugby?
Posted 15:29 26th July 2012
NHsaints says...
@Heathy it would appear the idiot here is you. The finals were over weeks ago, try reading the article. @porridge_time, rockman, Armchairgeneral...READ THE DAMNED ARTICLE BEFORE COMMENTING.
Posted 14:42 26th July 2012
Bones7 says...
Frooschman you are totally right, people clearly are only reading the headline.
"The presence of morphine in Steffon Armitage's urine sample is explained by the fact that 10 percent of this medicine (paracetamol codeine) is converted naturally into morphine." so he took an approved painkiller that converts to morphine, which isn't an approved painkiller, in the body. He has gone through the right routes then and hasn't done anything wrong as people below are suggesting. If the club doctor who prescribed him the drug has records of the prescription for it then I can't see how he can get banned. Also, I can't see how the authorities can approve a drug that would cause such a headache.
Posted 14:20 26th July 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
They know the mixture of meds he took, this isn't a big deal and shouldn't effect a possible call up in november if he's continues the brilliant form he showed last season.
Posted 14:16 26th July 2012
Frooschman says...
Am I reading a different article to you lot or just missing the sub-plot? The guy took medicines approved by the French anti-doping authority which were prescribed to him. Now I admit it doesn't state who prescribed the drugs and if it wasn't the club doctor then yes the boy's been a bit of dick, however, if these really are the facts of the case on what grounds can he possibly br punished? It sounds like the guy's done nothing wrong.
Posted 13:20 26th July 2012
Bash says...
heathy: "He'll miss the final and get a slap on the wrist and a fine I would imagine"
Do you live under a rock?
Posted 12:49 26th July 2012
powerplay says...
Yes, this is definatley over the counter stuff!!!
Posted 12:32 26th July 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Rules is rules. Dumb mistake at best.
Posted 12:15 26th July 2012
APV1 says...
I hope this is an innocent mistake and he takes any punishment with good grace.
Despite porridge_time's facetious remarks, I don't think this was a deliberate attempt to gain any advantage. But he should have taken the doctor's advice and got the paperwork in order.
Posted 12:03 26th July 2012