The Beefcake and the Beast: Professionalization, Mediatization, and the Representations of Masculinity in French Rugby

Why size matters; rugby union and doping

“…While Backhouse and colleagues provide insightful evidence within their Report, the findings are limited to a population of English school level male rugby players, where few individuals had ever used doping substances. Moreover, shifting perceptions towards muscularity and body image within society (Christiansen, 2020;Edgar, 2016;Andreasson & Johansson, 2014;Pope et al, 2000) and the existence of masculinist cultures within rugby (Dalla Pria & Bonnet, 2022;Holland & Scourfield, 2019;Besnier et al, 2018;Darko, 2009;Pringle & Markula, 2005) are largely overlooked. In contrast, a small number of studies have exclusively examined doped rugby players (Didymus et al, 2020;Cox et al, 2021;Whitaker et al, 2017).…”

“…Given the present digital-age, the growing popularity of rugby and the increased exposure given to imagery of professional rugby players and their bodies, formations of gender, body image and masculinity are said to have emerged (Dalla Pria et al, 2022;Pringle & Markula, 2005;Worth, Paris & Allen, 2002). With rugby central to the national identity of some countries (e.g., Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand (Holland et al, 2019;Mills & Giles, 2017;Pringle, 2008;Pringle, 2004)), it should come as no surprise that increased perceptions surrounding muscularity exist within specific communities.…”

“…You get the gym vibe' (P.6). Literature documents the existence of deeply rooted masculine sub-cultures throughout rugby communities and within hardcore gym environments (Dalla Pria et al 2022;Christiansen, 2020;Holland et al, 2019;Besnier et al, 2018;Darko, 2009;Pringle et al, 2005;Klein, 1993). For participant (6), who was deeply embedded within both rugby and gym communities, it is clear that he was exposed to a set of norms and behaviors consistent across both sub-cultures.…”