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Doping in rugby and funeral costs

With 28 rugby players currently banned for doping, an investigation into how serious the problem is at grassroots level. Plus the rising funeral costs leaving some people in debt.

More than half of the athletes currently banned by anti-doping authorities in the UK are rugby players. There are 15 from rugby union and 13 from rugby league - the majority from the lower leagues of the game's two codes. 5Live investigates how serious doping is in the sport and speaks exclusively to one player currently serving a four year ban for taking steroids. He says the problem is widespread, but claims it is often more about body image than improving performance. We look at the sport's drug testing regime and ask whether it is comprehensive enough to catch the cheats.

The programme has also been given access to a new report which reveals the rising cost of funerals and how some people are suffering real hardship as a result. The average funeral now costs 拢3,700 - a rise of nearly four per cent on the previous year. While overall funeral debt has gone down, the report reveals one in ten people struggle to pay and owe on average more than 拢1,300. 5Live also looks at some of the hidden costs, and why if you want to be buried outside your local authority area it could cost you a small fortune.

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47 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 4 Oct 2015 11:00

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