The use of fake blood by elite rugby union players to flout rules on blood-bin replacements is now widespread, former England coach Dick Best claimed on Sunday.

Best revealed that the practice of using fake blood capsules was common practice in the game not just in England, but at an international level.

The former London Irish coach said that in order to give the impression they are injured players are smeared in a red dye, which can be purchased in capsule form from joke shops or theatrical
outlets.

No player can return to the game after being replaced unless he has left for a cut to be treated, so that the fake-blood "victim" can be removed simply to rest or for tactical reasons before returning.

"They (blood capsules) are in common use in the Premiership, and I believe that they are the same as you'd find on the set of any film with stunt scenes," Best told the Sunday Times.

"If it's put on someone's scalp, the referee is hardly likely to go scrabbling around in their hair to see whether it's a genuine cut or not," he added.

Matches over the past two years have been increasingly blighted by suspicious incidents surrounding the replacement of players,
including England internationals.

Wasps director of rugby Nigel Melville confirmed Best's revelations.

"I have heard about the use of fake blood capsules and my view is that match officials are not very vigilant in checking blood injuries," said Melville. "The fourth official should check them, but at present the touchline procedure is slack."

Former England hooker Richard Cockerill revealed that during one match stitches in an existing cut on his finger were opened up by the England back-room staff "to take me off for 'blood' just in
case it was necessary to bring me back on".

And the method is also used in southern-hemisphere rugby.

Bob Dwyer, the coach of the NSW Waratahs, said: "I have heard of the idea of people taking bandages with crimson stains on to the field which are then taped to the heads of players before they are led off."

A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union said: "Primarily, this is a matter for the International Rugby Board. But, obviously, we
will have to discuss the matter internally." (Sapa-AFP)