If you’re going to play rugby then you need to be well protected! Although it is a sport enjoyed by many, it can be brutal at times and there are many types of injuries classed as “common” associated with the game. Keeping yourself protected is key to playing successfully and there are different types of rugby equipment designed to do just this.
Common rugby injuries
- Muscular strains and bruise injuries – over 40% of rugby injuries are related to the muscles and bruising.
- Sprains – these are also very common, accounting for around 30% of rugby injuries
- Neck injuries – these account for around 25% of tackle injuries
- Dislocations and clavicle (collarbone) fractures
- Lacerations, especially to the face and “cauliflower ears”
- Sprained ankles
- Superficial injuries
- Head injuries – thankfully these are the least common, partly due to the protective headgear worn by players. Half of these are concussions.
Hookers and flankers are the players who sustain the most injuries; they tend to be involved in more physical tackles and collisions. That said, when in a scrum the locks will be at greatest risk of trauma to the head and ears.
Protective equipment
There is a wide range of protective equipment available for players of all ages, to protect different areas of the body including the head, torso and legs.
Body protection
Body protection is worn to prevent against injuries to areas such as the abdomen, torso and shoulders. This type of equipment tends to be very padded and made from a breathable material to reduce sweating and overheating.
Different types of equipment that falls into this category include
- Body armour
- Protective rugby shorts
- Padded vests
- Back support (worn under the clothes)
- Shoulder support (worn under the clothes)
Popular brands selling rugby body protection include:
Head protection
Rugby headguards protect not only the head but the neck too. Typically fastened with a chin strap for a secure fit, they are often laced at the back for a personalised, close fit to give extra protection.
When looking for a headguard, conformation to World Rugby Specifications reg 12 is important; these relate to players’ dress and protection. A headguard that complies with the World Rugby Headgear Performance Specification will be designed with Impact Acceleration Attenuation, retention system strength and effectiveness in mind; all of which ensure the headgear is used in a way that doesn’t pose extra risk to the wearer.
Other features to look for include good air flow (to reduce sweatiness and improve comfort), ergonomic design, good padding and shock absorption and an anti bac lining.
Please note that rugby headgear is not expected to protect against skull fractures or mild traumatic brain injury, and any player who has been hit hard in the head region must seek professional medical attention!
Popular brands selling rugby headguards include:
Mouthguards
Mouthguards provide protection to the teeth, tongue and gums. They tend to be made as a slim fit to make them less intrusive and so they don’t restrict breathing.
You can buy mouthguards from a number of different brands in different designs and styles; you can also get them in styles to fit over braces which is an idea for junior players.
Popular brands selling mouthguards include:
Elbow and forearm guards
If you are concerned about injuries to the elbow or forearm then a guard for these areas is a good idea. Injuries to these areas tend to be most prevalent during tackles, so anyone playing as a hooker or flanker should definitely consider the idea.
These are designed as extra sleeves and tend to be lightweight so they don’t hamper performance.
Bicep guards
Bicep guards do just that – they protect the biceps from injury during collisions. Typically made from moulded foam and easy to take on and off, they are supplied in pairs in a range of sizes.
Gloves
Whilst not solely intended as a protective item of clothing, wearing rugby gloves does aid protection to the hands against the weather and against injuries. Depending on the style, some gloves are more padded than others, although extra padding can hamper performance.
Rugby gloves are readily available by a range of brands in sizes for all players.
Popular brands selling rugby gloves include: