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SAMPLES TAKEN– IN-COMPETITION– OUT-OF-COMPETITION468 200 268ANTI-DOPINGAT RWC 2015100% NEGATIVE RESULTSRIGHTPerimeter boards helped to raise the profile of the UN World Food Programme during RWC 2015Subsequently, World Rugby confirmed that no positive drug tests were detected at the tournament. The intelligence-led, targeted programme saw 468 samples undertaken across all 20 participating teams with 200 in-competition samples and 268 out-of-competition samples collected.Run in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), who were the official sample collection organisation for Rugby World Cup 2015, the programme recorded no adverse analytical findings although samples have been stored and will be retained for possible future re-testing.Another important role of RWC 2015 was to highlight the work of World Rugby’s humanitarian partner, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and to raise funds to support the programme’s push for zero hunger. To that end and as part of the Tackle Hunger campaign, fans purchasing tickets were given the option of contributing to WFP and more than £1 million was raised as a result, enough to provide in excess of six million meals to children and families across the world faced with a daily struggle to access nutritious food.With perimeter boards and other promotional activities in place during the tournament, the profile of WFP was raised significantly and rugby’s character-building values of respect and solidarity were clearly in evidence.Rugby at all grades looks to the elite level to lead the way in every facet of the game and the area of player welfare is no exception. World Rugby’s protocols around concussion follow international best practice for sport in this area with several other sporting codes following rugby’s lead. A major talking point during RWC 2015, rugby’s strict adherence to the principles of ‘recognise and remove’ meant that players with suspected concussion were permanently taken off the field. Those players who sustained a heavy blow to the head, neck or upper body but who did not show an obvious concussive symptom, were subjected to a rigorous head injury assessment off the field of play to be sure that no symptom could be detected. For players with suspected or confirmed concussions, stringent return-to-play protocols were also in place, further protecting the welfare of players in this important area. Anti-corruption is an important aspect of all sports and rugby is no exception. World Rugby’s Keep Rugby Onside campaign is designed to maintain the sport’s integrity and all RWC 2015 players received education in how to identify potential approaches as well as what to do in the event of witnessing something suspicious. In addition, integrity officers were present at all 48 matches during RWC 2015 to observe and, if necessary, investigate any unusual behaviour.FORCE FOR CHANGE | RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015YEAR IN REVIEW 2015 WORLD RUGBY 45