Rugby players are renowned for their heavy drinking off the field, and tough tackling on it.

So when the coach of the University of Leicester's first XV suggested banning booze in the hope it would improve performance, the idea went down like a lead balloon.

But in the end, all the players agreed – and now the self-imposed prohibition has produced some startling results.

Not only did the team win a prestigious varsity match against big rivals De Montfort University, at Welford Road, they have lost only twice all season.

This year's first XV captain, John Burns, 21, said: "I must admit we were all a bit apprehensive.

"We were all a bit taken aback when it was proposed, I'm not sure alcohol was something we particularly wanted to sacrifice.

"After all, being teetotal is not the sort of thing you associate with the rugby-playing culture, especially at university.

"But, two weeks in, we all appreciated it already because we could all feel how much better we were doing in training, we felt a lot healthier and we got some big results."

John, a history student, said he thought the alcohol ban had a direct influence on the team's success.

He said: "When you do without it, you realise the toll it's taken on your body.

"Everybody was commenting on how different they felt getting up without having a hangover."

John said he was convinced none of his teammates had succumbed to a secret pint during the ban. Now the prohibition is over, the players have decided to continue the no-alcohol rule among themselves during the main season.

Teammate Theo Dezies, a second-year English and history student, said that doing without beer was tough, but worth it.

He said: "When you think about how much some of us drink, it's a big thing.

"On a night out you might have 10 pints in a pub followed by six or seven more in a nightclub – maybe a few more than that, if you're taking part in drinking games.

"Thankfully, it wasn't an individual thing. We all supported each other because it would have been easy to go for a cheeky pint without anyone knowing.

"Fitness-wise you notice the difference straight away, but it was well worth it to be able to play at the Tigers' stadium, take it seriously and experience victory.

"After we won the Varsity match, it wasn't long before we had a few drinks in the changing-room and it tasted a lot sweeter."

Dr Angela Lennox, a GP on the St Matthew's estate, Leicester, said sporty types would see a difference if they cut out alcohol.

She said: "Alcohol is basically a poison. The body doesn't cope with it well in large amounts.

"A lot of binge-drinking will affect your muscles and therefore your performance in sport.

"It's not such a big deal for people who have the odd drink, but for a university rugby club, cutting out alcohol would probably make a difference."