Rugby is a full contact, 100mph sport with players smashing into one another nearly every second of the match. Yet, it isn't just the tackles and contact that cause injuries in rugby.
Players face a variety of potential injuries when they step onto the pitch. So, what are the most common injuries in rugby?
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Hamstring strains
You may think that a contact injury is the most common in rugby, however, it is an upper leg injury that is the most common problem players face. Hamstring strains occur when players make various moves on the pitch to avoid tacklers. Hamstrings take a lot of stain during a rugby match. A strain or tear occurs when the hamstring is stretched too far. The severity of the strain or tear will influence the length of time in which the player must recover.
Sprained ankles
Players make cutting moves on the pitch to elude tacklers. It is the lateral movements players make that cause sprained ankles and other injuries to the lower leg/foot. Sprained ankles can also occur when low tackles are made around the lower leg. According to research done on rugby injuries, one out of every seven injuries is a sprained ankle.
AC joint sprain
An Acromio Clavicular joint sprain is an injury that can occur from contact with another player or from hitting the ground following a tackle. The AC joint is located just outside of the collar bone and is attached to the front of the shoulder blade. Due to the number of tackles and falls a player suffers during a match, an AC joint sprain is extremely common and can occur when contact is made. You may see players wearing shoulder supports under their shirts to give them some protection from an AC joint sprain.
Head injuries
Head injuries have become a major talking point in sports in recent years. Due to the contact that rugby players suffer during matches, a variety of head injuries can occur. Concussions are the most severe head injuries that players suffer, however, other minor issues also crop up. Players can suffer cuts to the head and face that require stitches. Many rugby players don head gear to prevent or lessen head injuries. Head gear doesn't always prevent head injuries but it can reduce your chances of head trauma.
Overuse
Overuse injuries occur when players play too much and the body is put under great strain. Inflammation is one result of overuse in rugby players. Inflammation can occur in the joints causing pain when running, walking, and making basic rugby movements. Overuse injuries can be minor, however, left alone they can become something much bigger. Players who do not treat overuse injuries can suffer greater risks down the line. This is why players often come off during matches due to an ankle sprain or other issues that rugby fans believe to be minor.
