Rugby players are most often sniffing smelling salts or a type of nasal spray before games, not drugs like cocaine.

What they usually sniff

1. Smelling salts (the main one)

Smelling salts are small capsules or bottles containing ammonia mixed with other ingredients.

When opened, they release a very strong, irritating smell that makes you take a sharp inhale and briefly “wake up” your nervous system.

Players use them because they can:

  • Increase alertness and mental focus for a few minutes.
  • Make you feel more “switched on” and ready for contact.
  • Help some athletes push through nerves or fatigue at kick-off or half-time.

Fans and forum users often describe them as “horrific” but very effective for making you feel awake.

2. Nasal sprays

Sometimes the small bottle is just a nasal spray, not smelling salts.

These can be:

  • Medicated sprays (for allergies or inflammation) to open nasal passages.
  • Simple saline sprays (saltwater) to clear mucus and keep airways open.

Because rugby is very aerobic, being able to breathe clearly through the nose can help overall performance and comfort.

Are they safe or allowed?

Smelling salts are generally allowed in many sports, but there’s growing concern.

Recent discussions in rugby and the NFL highlight worries that they might:

  • Mask concussion or neurological symptoms by giving a temporary jolt of alertness.
  • Encourage players to keep playing when they should be assessed or removed.

Governing bodies are beginning to review or restrict their use, especially around head-injury protocols.

Are players ever using illegal drugs?

On forums, people sometimes joke or speculate about cocaine or “recreational” drugs, but that’s not what you’re typically seeing on TV.

Professional players are subject to anti-doping rules, and the standard pre- game sniffing you see on camera is overwhelmingly smelling salts or nasal sprays, not illegal substances.

TL;DR:
When you see rugby players sniffing something before games, it’s almost always smelling salts for a quick hit of alertness, or a nasal spray to help them breathe more easily, not hard drugs.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.