World Rugby and WADA Uncover Orchestrated Doping Scheme and Sample Tampering Within Georgian National Team

World Rugby and WADA confirm six Georgian internationals and one coach sanctioned for an orchestrated sample substitution scheme and doping violations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 8:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetRugby

The Exposure of Operation Obsidian

The global rugby community has been rocked by the findings of Operation Obsidian, a complex joint investigation conducted by World Rugby and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The probe confirmed that six players and one support staff member from the Georgia men’s senior national team engaged in an "orchestrated scheme" to bypass doping controls. Investigators uncovered evidence of sample substitution, a prohibited method where clean urine is swapped for an athlete's own to avoid detection. This coordinated effort to undermine the integrity of the sport was identified through irregularities in urine samples flagged by World Rugby’s athlete passport management program over an extended period.

Systemic Collusion at the National Level

The investigation’s most damaging revelations involve the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency (GADA), which WADA alleges was complicit in helping athletes evade testing. Findings indicate that a manager at the national agency provided advance notice of "surprise" testing missions to a member of the team’s entourage. This individual would then alert players and coaching staff via a mobile group chat, allowing them to prepare for the arrival of doping control officers. WADA President Witold Bańka described the situation as "outrageous," noting that such high-level collusion sends shockwaves through the global game and the Georgian government alike.

Breaches in Testing Protocol and Oversight

Beyond the active substitution of samples, the investigation determined that GADA officials consistently failed to adhere to mandatory testing protocols. Doping control officers reportedly did not observe athletes during the notification process and failed to witness the actual passing of urine, which is a fundamental requirement of the WADA Code. In several instances, testing missions were allegedly carried out a day earlier than requested by World Rugby, with documentation subsequently falsified to hide the discrepancy. These procedural failures were so severe that WADA has officially withdrawn its confidence in the Georgian agency’s ability to conduct a valid anti-doping program.