First aid
No rugby game should take place without a first aid kit on the sideline. Whatever the standard of your club, you need a fully-stocked kit ready for use. Ideally it should come packed in a bag suitable for travel and use on the pitch.
Protective clothing
In rugby, protection isn’t just about first aid, though. You need to stop injuries – or at least reduce their effect on you. For this purpose, there’s a range of protective clothing.
Body armour
Body armour can protect your torso. Moulded pads help safeguard your back, kidneys, arms, shoulders, neck and chest from knocks. The best fabrics also allow your skin to breathe.
Biceps and forearms
Your biceps and forearms can suffer bruising during training and matches. High impact tackling can also take its toll on your arms.
Bicep pads and forearm supports can reduce the amount of soft tissue damage. The lightweight foam in the pads and supports helps absorb impacts. And the soft material doesn’t restrict your movement.
Head guards
Nobody wants a head injury in rugby. Protection takes the form of padded head guards.
There are a number of these on the market in different styles and colours. Ideally, you want a head guard that’s lightweight and adjustable. You might also want anti-bacterial material on the inside. This keeps the head guard fresh and helps it last longer.
Mouth guards
Mouth guards protect your teeth and gums from both head-on and side impacts. They should be flexible so they match the shape of your mouth. They should also stay in place at all times and allow you to speak clearly.
Costs
You can get a comprehensive first aid kit complete with bag for around £50.
You can pay up to £70 for body armour, but there’s a good range around the £40 mark.
Bicep and forearm guards are between £13 and £20, and head guards vary from £10- £50 depending on make and style. Mouth guards start at about £6 rising to £30.