One player at the World Cup failed a drugs test, the International Rugby Board (IRB) said on Wednesday, although the governing body refused to identify the player.

The IRB said that 216 urine and 76 blood samples were collected at the September 9 to October 23 World Cup in New Zealand, topping the 212 tests conducted at the 2007 World Cup in France.

"The substance detected is classified as a narcotic (painkiller) and is classified as a specified substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list," said an IRB statement.

"The player and his union (who exited the tournament after the pool phase) have been informed of the finding and the player is provisionally suspended until the outcome of a hearing, which is pending.

"Due to confidentiality provisions no further information can be released until the case is heard and a decision made."

In order to ensure a level playing field for all players, the IRB delivered an extensive programme of blood and urine testing both in and out of competition across all teams, while exercising an anywhere, anytime policy.

Even before a ball was kicked at the global showpiece the 20 participating teams had undergone an extensive programme of out of competition testing that included urine and blood controls to screen for banned substances including EPO and Human Growth Hormone.

The IRB will publish the full 2011 anti-doping results in the new year.