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The Rugby Football Union has defended its new recreational drugs policy which will give players who test positive anonymity if it is their first offence.

Tests will take place on non-matchdays for the first time but only a second offence will mean a ban and disclosure.

But the RFU told BBC Sport the policy "was not soft on drugs" and "covered an area in which hitherto there was no policy".

The RFU has agreed the measures with the Rugby Players' Association (RPA) and Premier Rugby.

A spokeswoman for the RPA added: "We're already rolling out an education programme in conjunction with Premier Rugby which addresses drug abuse and alcohol misuse, which has gone to all 12 Premiership clubs, and we'll continue to be involved in the programme.

"Obviously we're testing in an area where there was no testing before, so it would be difficult to argue that we're being soft.

"The players feel very strongly that they want to be tested, so there is concrete evidence that the game is essentially clean.

"When the policy was taken to the RPA board, there was an overwhelming strength of feeling from players that they supported it wholeheartedly.

"They feel they want to be role models, and want to uphold the image of the game."