Rugby is a physically taxing contact sport in which a player can suffer serious injuries. However, protective equipment is not required to be worn. Even so, many players choose to wear certain safety items to protect themselves from the potentially serious injuries that can occur during a match.
Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are commonly worn by rugby players. This small mouth piece can be extremely effective in preventing serious injuries. Mouth guards can protect teeth from direct hits, and prevent the teeth from chomping together due to a fall or a direct hit. In addition, mouth guards prevent players from accidentally biting down on their tongue.
Mouth guards also reduce the effects on the brain from hits to the head by absorbing some of the shock. This can greatly reduce the chance of a concussion, which can cause severe brain damage--receiving several concussions could end a rugby athlete's career.
Scrum Caps
Scrum caps are soft, padded helmets. Rugby rules state that the padding cannot be more than 1cm thick. Scrum caps can help reduce head injuries; however, scrum caps, unlike football helmets, are soft and cannot completely prevent head injuries. But headgear serves other purposes as well--it can prevent the inevitable cuts and scrapes that occur during rugby matches.
Shoulder Pads
Similar to scrum caps, the shoulder pads cannot be more than 1cm thick. Shoulder pads can protect a player's upper body during a match. Tackling is a major part of rugby, and is easily the most physically challenging and taxing part of the game. Shoulder pads can play a big part in reducing the damage tackling can do to the body, as the shoulders are susceptible to injury through both delivering and receiving a hit. Simply put, when players tackle, shoulders take on the brunt of the force. In addition, the shoulders and upper body get hit when getting tackled.
Chest Pads
Men cannot wear chest pads, but women's rugby allows them. Like scrum caps and shoulder pads, chest pads are made from soft and thin materials. The pads can cover the shoulders, collar bone and chest. They help to protect the upper body from general hits during the game.
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