Playing rugby with a hangover? No problem! Study concludes drinking up to 11 pints night before a game does little to impair performance

  • Scientists tested players to see the effects of heavy drinking previous night
  • They were shocked to find that even 11 pints have little impact on next day
  • The only aspect of players' games affected was the ability to jump in lineouts
  • Every other part of their performance was the same before and after drink

By Richard Spillett

Published: | Updated:

Rugby players' reputation for hard drinking may be well deserved after new research found even an 11-pint binge the night before a game will not affect their performance.

Apart from a reduction in jumping ability, all other aspects of a rugby player's game were unaffected by an evening of heavy drinking before playing the next day, scientists found.

The study may not lead to a change in coaching advice for players to lay off alcohol before a big match, but it enhances the reputation of rugby enthusiasts to hold their drink.

Coaches often tell players to steer clear of alcohol before rugby games, but new research suggests drinking even 11 pints has little impact on players' performance

Coaches often tell players to steer clear of alcohol before rugby games, but new research suggests drinking even 11 pints has little impact on players' performance

Researchers from the School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, New Zealand, tested 19 club rugby players before and after a drinking session the night before a big game.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, lead researcher Christopher Prentice and colleagues writing for the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that the 19 men were all eager volunteers for the experiment.

The 19 were tested for jumping, sprinting, hydration and other physical aspects both before drinking up to 20 pints and after the match they played the following day.

The biggest change to the system came from a lack of sleep from drinking, with the rugby players averaging just one to three hours the night after their session.

This reduced their 'lower body output' which in turn affected their ability to jump from a standing start, such as in lineouts.

Former England captain Will Carling enjoys a drink during his time leading the line. New research suggests it wouldn't affect his game

Former England captain Will Carling enjoys a drink during his time leading the line. New research suggests it wouldn't affect his game

But every other aspect of their performance was unaltered and even their lower body strength was back to normal two days after a boozy night out.

Experts think their general fitness and size may mean they have a greater ability to consume alcohol without it affecting their sporting prowess.

But researchers pointed out there is also the fear they may be at risk of developing a drinking problem because they do not suffer so many after-effects.

The study's authors said: 'Heavy episodic alcohol use and associated reduced sleep hours results in a reduction in lower body power output but not other measures of anaerobic performance the morning after a drinking session.

'Full recovery from this behaviour is achieved by two days post-drinking. (But) scores for this group indicate regular alcohol consumption at a hazardous level.'

Last year, Australia banned six players for drinking before an international game with Ireland.

Former England manager Martin Johnson took a different approach two years earlier when he defended Mike Tindall and others who were photographed drinking during the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

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