Rugby union has always been a physically demanding sport that tests skill, strength and courage. But alongside the commitment to competitive excellence runs an equally important commitment: protecting the welfare of every player who steps onto the pitch. From grassroots clubs to elite competitions, the rugby community continues to evolve its approach to rugby safety and injury prevention, guided by research, data and shared responsibility.
In 2025, that evolution is more visible than ever. Insights from injury surveillance, academic research and public health guidance are shaping how coaches prepare their squads, how officials apply the laws, and how players and parents think about welfare. Guided by research from the RFU, World Rugby and leading universities, this article explores what the latest evidence tells us about rugby safety and how the sport is responding at every level.
Rugby Injury Data: What the Evidence Shows
Understanding where and how injuries occur is the foundation of any effective player welfare strategy. The RFU's Community Rugby Injury Surveillance Project (CRISP) has monitored injuries across adult community rugby for years, providing data that informs decisions at both national and local levels.
The findings remain consistent: tackles are the phase of play most associated with injury. This holds true across age groups and competition levels, which is why contact management and tackle technique remain a core focus in coaching and law development. CRISP data doesn't just highlight risk it directly guides player-welfare initiatives introduced by the RFU. Injury trends and mitigation measures are reviewed annually to ensure the game evolves in line with the evidence.
This data-led approach means that changes to how rugby is played and officiated are grounded in real-world experience, reflecting the challenges and progress of players and coaches across the country.
How Research Is Improving Rugby Safety
While injury surveillance provides the numbers, academic research helps explain the reasons behind them. A recent study published in a leading sports science journal examined tackle-safety guidance across rugby organisations and identified areas for improvement.
Researchers found that safety recommendations vary across governing bodies, with differences in contact-training load monitoring, return-to-contact protocols and the depth of coach education. These findings echo wider efforts across the sport to share best practice and strengthen player welfare through consistent, evidence-based guidance.
For community coaches, this reinforces the importance of focusing on tackle technique, managing contact exposure and ensuring safety education continues throughout the season.
Practical Rugby Safety and Injury Prevention Steps
So what does safer rugby look like in practice? Guidance from sporting and health bodies provides a clear roadmap for coaches, clubs and parents. These best practices form part of a wider rugby injury prevention strategy that supports safer play across all levels.
Pre-Season Conditioning and Progressive Training
Injuries are less likely when players are physically prepared for the demands of the game. Pre-season conditioning builds strength and resilience, while progressive training allows players to adapt safely to contact intensity over time. This is especially important for younger players whose bodies are still developing.
Warm-Ups and Technique
Proper warm-ups prepare muscles and joints for impact, while continuous work on core skills, such as tackling, scrummaging and mauling helps players develop safe, effective technique. Good form isn't just about performance; it's a built-in safety measure that protects both the tackler and the ball carrier.
Scrum and Maul Safety
While tackles account for most recorded injuries, the scrum and maul remain two of the most physically demanding and technically precise areas of the game. Research from the University of Bath informed the global adoption of the “Crouch, Bind, Set” scrum sequence in 2013, reducing engagement forces by approximately 25–40% and lowering scrum-related injury risk, particularly in community rugby. These findings highlight how collaboration between scientists, governing bodies and coaches translates research into real-world safety gains.
Correct body position, controlled engagement and clear communication between players continue to be vital in protecting neck and shoulder health, while safe maul formation helps prevent joint and soft-tissue injuries.
The RFU and World Rugby continue to prioritise education for coaches and referees in these contact phases to ensure players engage safely and within the laws.
Concussion Protocols
Rugby’s approach to concussion has evolved significantly in recent years. World Rugby’s Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) systems are mandatory in elite rugby and recommended in community rugby.
At the elite level, any player who is removed from play for a suspected concussion under the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process must complete the Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) pathway. Players with no concussion history and who meet low-risk criteria may return after seven days, while those with a concussion history or abnormal clinical findings must observe a minimum 12-day recovery, subject to clearance by an independent concussion consultant.
At the community level, the protocols are more conservative. World Rugby advises a minimum 21-day stand-down for adults and a longer period for players under 19 before resuming full contact. GRTP should be completed under supervision, ensuring players are symptom-free and fully recovered before returning to play.
This staged process rest, light exercise, non-contact training, contact training, return to play reduces long-term risks and reflects the ongoing commitment to player welfare.
Mouthguard Use
A high proportion of rugby injuries involve the head and face across all levels of the game. Players should wear a correctly fitted mouthguard in all contact sessions, not just matches.
As the Official Mouthguard Partner of England Rugby, OPRO has long championed the importance of proper fit and comfort both of which make players more likely to keep their mouthguards in during play. Founded by UK dentist Dr Anthony Lovat, OPRO has set the standard for reliable, high-quality mouthguards trusted by players from grassroots to elite level.
Mouthguards should be replaced if damaged, and younger players will need new ones as they grow to maintain a secure fit. A well-fitted, comfortable mouthguard remains one of the simplest and most effective forms of rugby protective equipment for reducing dental and facial injuries.
Different Needs Across the Game
Safety strategies are increasingly tailored to different groups within rugby. Research shows that women's and youth games present distinct injury profiles, with head and facial injuries proportionally higher in women's matches and growth-related stresses more common in young players. Coaching, conditioning and equipment programmes are being adapted accordingly to support every athlete, regardless of age or gender.
Safe Environments and Rule Enforcement
Safety also depends on the playing environment and consistent officiating. Clubs should maintain pitches, ensure equipment is in good condition, and support referees in applying the laws fairly. Prompt injury management including clear concussion protocols is essential. Many clubs are also improving their medical readiness by ensuring first-aid staff are trained and automated defibrillators (AEDs) are accessible pitch-side crucial measures that can make a life-saving difference in rare but serious emergencies.
Adapting to Conditions
Player safety isn't just about contact. Seasonal factors such as pitch hardness, temperature and fatigue can also affect injury risk. Maintaining hydration, scheduling rest and adjusting training intensity in extreme conditions all contribute to safer play throughout the year.
Consistent Education
Education for referees and coaches remains one of rugby's most effective safety tools. The RFU's ongoing training and accreditation programmes help ensure that technique, law interpretation and welfare policies are applied consistently across the country.
Innovation in Rugby Protective Equipment
Alongside better training and education, innovation in protective equipment and monitoring continues to advance player welfare.
At the elite level, smart mouthguards (iMG) that record and transmit data on head-impact frequency and intensity are being introduced as compulsory equipment in training and match play. These devices allow medical and coaching teams to monitor cumulative exposure and make informed decisions about rest and recovery another step forward in proactive player welfare. While this technology currently focuses on elite competitions, the insights it generates are helping inform safer practices throughout the wider rugby community.
Quality protective gear and continuous research form part of rugby's broader injury prevention system. When combined with good technique, managed training loads and evidence-based coaching, they help create safer conditions for every player.
Beyond Injuries: The Broader View of Rugby Player Welfare
Rugby's commitment to welfare now extends beyond physical safety. Programmes such as the RFU's Headcase encourage awareness of mental wellbeing, stress management and peer support recognising that resilience on the field begins with wellbeing off it. This holistic approach reflects a modern understanding that keeping players safe means supporting them in every aspect of their rugby journey.
Conclusion
Rugby safety in 2025 is defined by collaboration and continuous improvement. The RFU's data collection through CRISP, academic research, practical health guidance and innovations in protective equipment all point in the same direction: a sport that takes player welfare seriously at every level.
For community coaches, the message is empowering. Focus on technique across all phases of play, manage contact load sensibly, ensure proper warm-ups and conditioning, and make sure every player wears a correctly fitted mouthguard. Maintain clear concussion protocols, keep medical provisions up to date, and create a culture where safety and performance go hand in hand.
Rugby's physicality is part of its identity, but so too is the respect and responsibility that players show towards one another. The progress made in recent years proves that the sport can be both challenging and safe and that every coach, parent, player and partner has a role in keeping it that way.
