Former France prop Laurent Benezech believes he was doped during the 1995 Rugby World Cup © Getty Images

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Former France prop Laurent Benezech has claimed that he was given performance enhancing drugs during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Benezech, who hit the headlines earlier this year by suggesting that doping was rife in French rugby, has reportedly told an inquiry into the fight against doping in sport that he believes he was given illegal substances during his side's run to the semi-finals of the tournament in South Africa.

AFP reported that the former Racing Metro, Toulouse, Harlequins and Narbonne forward had a "strong inclination" that he had been doped when he was treated for a retinal detachment injury a few years later with the cortisone used prompting a familiar reaction.

"I have a strong belief that during that period I was given cortisone," Benezech told the French Senate. "I discovered a certain physical euphoria, I didn't feel tired any more … That feeling reminded me that I'd had it once before at a specific time in my career."

He went on to recall the earlier incident and state his belief that the use of such drugs must have been cleared by senior officials including the then president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and now chairman of the International Rugby Board, Bernard Lapasset.

"The French team had a doctor, who was Marc Bichon, and a manager, who was Pierre Berbizier," he said. "I don't think Marc Bichon took it upon himself to put in place a medical protocol without having been directed to do so by the general manager.

"And the general manager, Pierre Berbizier - who I know well, as I also had him as a coach - I don't think he would have taken that decision without the authorisation of the president of the French Rugby Federation at that time [Bernard Lapasset]."

Lapasset insists he has no knowledge of doping during his time with the FFR and has demanded proof from Benezech. "I ask him to express himself more precisely in the way he says he knows things, more than just approximations like 'they said' or 'maybe' and which does not really correspond to what I expect from a player who talks about this subject," Lapasset said. "Does he have proof? As a player, he would have been able to say it for some time if that was the case."

However, Lapasset has revealed he was aware of a doping element in the European game at that time. "In 1995, it was a time when several foreign players had arrived (in France), we knew that there were countries which didn't have anti-doping controls," he said.

"So I said 'Be careful'. We spoke about it but that's just responsible management which we must have at times like that. Personally speaking, I've never had any knowledge of elements related to doping in the France team.

"We'll see what the Senate inquiry says about Benezech's claims and I will respond to it if it's necessary to respond. I've absolutely no fear of the subject."

Berbizier has refused to comment on the claim while Bichon has rubbished the allegation and insists the squad were drug tested before during and after the tournament. "My response is simple: I refute every single accusation made by this man," he said.