What Equipment Is Required to Play Rugby?

Rugby is a fast paced, physically grueling sport that combines brutal bouts of contact with skilled finesse. Both incarnations--Rugby Union and Rugby League--require very little gear, much of it optional. Unlike American Football, rugby players often clash heads with next to nothing in the way of protection. In recent years, players have begun to take better care of their extremities with the adoption of light padding. However, since much of the padding is voluntary, the more courageous players still battle it out with limited padding. While safety is a concern, many players feel slowed down by excess padding and thus avoid it.

  1. Traditional Rugby Gear

    • Traditional rugby requires very little equipment. Players wear nothing but boots, shorts, socks and a jersey. Other than that, all one needs for a game of rugby are the appropriate amount of players (15 in Rugby Union and 13 in Rugby League), a field, goal posts and the appropriate ball.

    Rugby Headgear

    • Safety-conscious professional Rugby Union players wear scrum caps on their heads. A scrum cap is a form of padded headgear that is secured with a chinstrap. Holes on the front and top of the scrum cap ensure that the player's head is well ventilated.
      Rugby League helmets are a bit bulkier than the Rugby Union scrum caps. These heavier skullcaps wrap around the face like sideburns. Like the Rugby Union scrum caps, Rugby League skullcaps have ventilation holes on their dome sections and are secured with a chinstrap.
      Scrum caps and skullcaps have gained popularity in recent years due to a prevalence of "cauliflower ear," a condition caused by constant friction endured during rugby scrums (the technique in rugby where players clash head-to-head to secure the ball).

    Rugby Shields

    • Rugby Union body padding is extremely light, thin and flexible. Nylon shield vests are worn underneath players' jerseys. These shields often include shoulder pads that are sewn into the vests.
      Rugby League players wear breathable elastic shields under their jerseys that are fitted with foam shoulder pads, arm pads and chest plates.

    Mouth Gear

    • Both Rugby Union and Rugby League players wear gumshields that are custom-molded by team dentists or orthodontists. Budget conscious teams can avoid dentists and mold the gumshields themselves by soaking the shield in hot water to soften the plastic. Gumshields go over the teeth and protect both the teeth and gums.

    Footwear

    • Rugby League players wear high cut boots that provide ankle support and protection. In addition, Rugby League players wear calf-high socks that are usually lightly padded.
      Rugby Union players mostly eschew the high-cut shoe in favor of a lower-cut soccer shoe. The lower cut ensures greater foot mobility.

    Shirts and Shorts

    • Rugby shirts and shorts (in both Rugby League and Rugby Union) were traditionally made from cotton. In recent years, however, jerseys and shirts have been made with synthetic materials that are more difficult for players to grasp onto.

    Balls

    • The Rugby Union ball is an oval ball made from leather and/or synthetic materials. Four panels are stitched together to create the oval shape. Rugby Union balls are 11-12 inches long and 23-24 inches wide at the center.
      Rugby League uses a similar ball that also measures 11-12 inches in length.